- Monday, July 2

Wellstone Book Tour

Paul Wellstone took some time off his book tour to speak with Ken Stone about his latest work, "The Conscience of a Liberal".

US Women's Soccer Team

The US National Women's Soccer Team practiced at the National Sports Center in Blaine today. Among them was Minnesota's own Jena Kluegel.

- Tuesday, July 3

Mergers and Accusations

The GE-Honeywell merger collapsed today and chairman and chief executive Michael Bonsignore may be out of a job. Journalist, Kevin Maler will talk about these and other news from the business front.

Art Cars

Keep your eyes on the road for antlers, wine corks, Barbie dolls and other creative decals as the Twin Cities celebrates its art cars today.

Sodomy Law Ruled Unconstitutional

A Hennepin County Judge gave class-action status to the ruling against the sodomy law today. We'll speak with representatives from the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and the Minnesota Family Council about the decision.

Plus...

News Night's raring to go as two classic MG's hit the studios.

- Wednesday, July 4

NewsNight Music Special

Local, national and international music guests fill up this holiday NewsNight set list. Local rockers Semisonic, Mark Mallman, Mason Jennings and Iffy join the likes of jazz musician Irv Williams, opera singer Carl Tanner, the Cowboy Junkies and Chinese pianist Fou Ts'ong.

- Thursday, July 5

Steel Industry

The U. S. Dept of Commerce held a meeting in Virginia, MN today as part of an investigation to decide whether imported steel can be considered a threat to national security.

Economy Forecasts

Wells Fargo's Chief Economist, Dr. Sung Won Sohn, joins us tonight to give analysis and predictions on our troubled economy.

Shakespeare Day

Mayor Norm Coleman has officially declared July 5 "Shakespeare Day". The Actors Theater of Minnesota celebrates by opening their outdoor Shakespeare festival tonight with "The Tempest".

School Lunch

Many kids are having a hard time getting a proper lunch while school is out of session. See what some Twin Cities communities have done to remedy this situation.

Hmong Sports Tournament

More than 25,000 people are expected at the 21st Annual Hmong Sports Tournament this weekend. Tournament Board President, William Vang joins us to talk about the sports, food and other fun to find there.

Plus...

Check out St. Croix Valley's beautiful garden tour.

- Monday, July 9

Ventura in Canada

Governor Ventura will visit Canada this week in order to strengthen trade ties and to improve general relations with our biggest foreign trading partner.

Students' Visas Refused

Many Chinese students at the University of Minnesota have had their study visas rejected recently. We'll speak with the Executive Director of the International Programs at the University of MN tonight to hear why.

Congressional Redistricting

The potential unification of Minneapolis and St. Paul raises many questions on how minorities' representation would be affected. We'll hear the pro's and con's from our guests tonight.

- Tuesday, July 10

Ventura on Canada

Mary Lahammer speaks to Governor Ventura about US-Canada relations and what he's doing to strengthen ties with our number one foreign trading partner.

Big Star on the Horizon

Xcel Energy Center announced more details on its fall calendar today. The line-up includes one rare and much anticipated visit from an Italian legend.

Minorities in Public Schools

The Urban Coalition released a report this week that condemns public schools' treatment of minority children. Jane Liu of the Coalition joins us tonight to explain why.

Machovec's Closing

After 112 years, Machovec's, a landmark neighborhood market for rivermen and St. Paulites, is closing its doors.

Stem Cell Research

Bioethics experts address the debate over funding for human embryo stem cell research.

- Wednesday, June 11

Blakey Endorsed

The Republican party voted in a landslide decision yesterday to endorse new addition, Jerry Blakey, for mayor.

Not all Gifts are Gifts

The Minnesota Appeals Court ruled yesterday that if the wedding doesn't happen, the ring needs to go back. Attorney, Marshall Tanick will tell us the logic behind the ruling.

WAMM Statement

Women Against Military Madness issued a statement this week accusing U.S. NATO of kidnnapping, blackmail, and more in the extradition of Slobodan Milosovic. We'll discuss the statement with a WAMM representative and political scientist tonight.

Plus...

Musical guest, Gaelic Tribe.

- Thursday, July 12

Anti-racism Training

People's Institute North celebrates its first permanent Minneapolis office. We'll speak with representatives from the group about their twenty years of educating the nation about racism.

Allina Health Under Fire

Attorney General Mike Hatch continues to investigate Allina's spending on executive perks and outside consultants.

Falun Gong

A University of Minnesota student speaks about his mother's sentence to three years of hard labor in China for her belief in Falun Gong.

U Gets New Campus Life VP

Robert Jones who was recently selected as Vice President of the University of Minnesota's Campus Life Department joins us tonight. He is one of very few African Americans to reach Vice President status at the U.

Star Party

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the nation's oldest and largest astronomy society, will hold its 113th annual party in St. Paul tomorrow. We'll speak with some ASP members about what's on their horizon.

- Monday, July 16

Sister McKenzie Heads to Prison

Sister Betty McKenzie, one of 26 protesters who were convicted of trespassing onto the U.S. Army's School of the Americas in Columbus, Ga, heads off to prison today. Ken Stone speaks with McKenzie about the accusations against her.

Earthquake Relief

The India Earthquake Relief Fund announced its strategies to help the people of Vijaypar, India today. The village was destroyed by an earthquake in January.

Benton Ban

The ban on public nudity in Benton will go before the Federal District Courts tomorrow. Hear about the constitutional rights that may be challenged by such a ban.

- Tuesday, July 17

St. Cloud State Scores Low

A recent study at St. Cloud University found that students and faculty have experienced a strong sense of anti-semitism at the school. Stephen Silberfarb, Executive Director of the group that conducted the study, joins us tonight.

Homeless Series

Ken Stone's series report continues tonight with a look at life on the streets of of Mankato.

Plus...

Get a glimpse of the past at Swede Hollow.

- Wednesday, July 18

Himalaya

Eric Valle's latest film, "Himalaya" is an effort to capture Tibetan culture on film. We'll speak with lead actress, Lhapka Tsamchoe, who also starred in Seven Years in Tibet.

Homeless Series

Ken Stone wraps up his series report with an in depth look at single mothers in Minneapolis who are trying to raise their children, earn a living and find a place to sleep at night.

Plus...

Theatre de la Jeune Lune's J.D. Steel plays upon our stage tonight.

- Thursday, July 19

Minnesota Vixens

Three of Minnesota's toughest, fastest, fiercest football players are in the studios tonight, and they're all women. Join us as Lou and Ken take on members of the Minnesota Vixens.

We'll Always Have Fargo...

Long-time Executive Director of the Minnesota Film Board, Randy Adamsick, is stepping down. We'll speak to him tonight about his decision to leave and his plans for the future.

The Mighty Mississippi

Hop on our raft and take a journey down the Old Man with Star Tribune Travel Editor, Chris Welsch.

Plus...

Get a glimpse of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' intricate Japanese tea houses.

- Monday, July 23

Will Funeral Homes go Union?

Many Minnesota funeral home employees are considering unionization. We'll speak with an employee of a local funeral home and the head of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association about this controversial question.

No Handicap

A Minnetonka company received a national award today for its success in expanding the role of disabled persons in the workplace. Join us tonight for a closer look at this company's revolutionary methods.

Allina Divided

Deemed unable to monitor itself by Attorney General Mike Hatch, Allina will now be divided into two companies. Allina says the division fits their own ideas for restructuring. We'll take a look at Allina's future scenarios tonight.

Reporter Says Police Beat Teen

Pioneer Press reporter, Tammy Oseid, says she witnessed the beating of an 18 year old by St. Paul Police officers outside of a Rondo Days competition this weekend. Oseid described the scene to us today.

Plus...

Learn more about the factors behind the fluctuating costs of prescription drugs.

- Tuesday, July 24

Lane Testing

The legislature wants to try opening the sane lanes to all automobiles to see how traffic levels would respond but they're running into bottlenecks of their own.

Elite Blood Drives?

There's a new concern turning away blood donors this summer. We'll talk to a local blood drive's registered nurse to find out why.

Animal Hoarding

It's cruel, it's disgusting but is it beyond their control? People who hoard animals may suffer from a mental addiction similar to alcoholism. We'll talk with Hennepin County Humane Society's Humane Investigator tonight.

Plus...

Watch our sneak preview of the Ordway's "South Pacific", opening tomorrow.

- Wednesday, July 25

It Pays to Live Here

A government report announced that Minnesota's incomes are soaring in comparison with the rest of the nation. Hear more tonight.

Stadium Task Force

Join us tonight as we welcome Representative Steve Sviggum. He'll talk about his stadium task force and our sports teams' need for new space.

School's Coming

OK, you don't have to go back just yet but it's never too early to check in with Mae Schunk who joins us tonight to speak about some emerging philosophies in modern education.

Plus...

Jim Neuman visits the Tweed Museum in Duluth to view the new Woodland Indian art exhibit.

- Thursday, July 26

Passing the Buck?

How can pro athletes get million dollar salaries while team owners can't seem to find a penny for a new stadium? Join us tonight as Star Tribune reporter, Jay Weiner, addresses these and more questions.

Bob Dylan Memorabilia

Find out about Hibbing Public Library's new plans for their Dylan Collection.

Harder-Fuller

Local video maestros Rick Fuller and Phil Harder speak with us about winning an MTV Music Award and what it's like to work with rock group, Incubus.

- Monday, July 30

Farewell, Aviva

Aviva Breen speaks with us about the many challenges and triumphs she's experienced in her twenty years with the Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women.

Controversial Commandments

The Constitution says it's illegal, but some groups say it's good for society. Join us tonight as representatives from the MN Family Council and the MN Civil Liberties Union address the controversial posting of the 10 Commandments on government grounds.

Plus...

Cathy Wurzer follows the most innovative bag lady as she constructs beautiful handbags from worn highway bulletin boards.

- Tuesday, July 31

Juvenile Court Report

How did the decision to open juvenile court hearings to the public affect case rulings? Check in with members of the Juvenile Court Advisory Committee tonight.

Monopoly!

Witness the unveiling of the world's largest Monopoly board...a new attraction at the State Fair to support affordable housing.

This Season at the Guthrie

We'll speak with Joe Dowling about his latest directorial feat, Amadeus, and about the Guthrie's new Riverfront space.

Plus...

General Mills and Wheaties reveal their latest box covers.

- Tuesday, August 1

Stringer Dies of Heat Stroke

27 year old Viking right tackle, Korey Stringer died early this morning due to multiple system failure resulting from heat stroke. Hear Coach Dennis Green's comments tonight.

Hmong Population Explosion

The 2000 Census Report released today showed the Hmong Population has more than doubled since 1990. Learn more about why Hmong are choosing Minnesota and how the community is faring here.

The Big Muddy Monument

Take a look at our video diary of Duluth sculptors, Ann Klefstad and Jeffrey Kallstrom as they develop their impressive clay, plaster and bronze tribute to the Mississippi River.

Looking Forward

The World Future Society wraps up its annual meeting in Minneapolis today. Futurist, Dr. Arthur Harkins will tell us more about this organization's unique anticipatory approach to life.

Plus...

Widely read children's magazine, The Riverbank Review, is fighting to stay afloat in the face of funding difficulties. Tune in tonight learn more.

- Thursday, August 2

Airports' Sky High Costs

The Minneapolis St. Paul Airport spends more than $1.5 million per day on construction projects. Ken Stone takes a tour with the airport's head engineer today to find just where all that cash is going.

Don't Believe the Hype

The Hype crew checks in with Twin Cities teens of color about their perceptions of local law enforcement.

- Monday, August 6

Pilot of the Enola Gay

Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets speaks about his experience of piloting the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II.

National Night Out

Put on your porch lights! The anti-crime event of the year, National Night Out, will take place on the stoops of thousands of households tomorrow. Tune in tonight to learn more about how you can join in the fight against crime.

Tiger Jack

Landmark St. Paul shop owner and former boxer, Tiger Jack Rosenbloom, has died. Take a look at some moments from his life tonight.

- Tuesday, August 7

Making Sense of Social Security

There's a torrent of new ideas about what we can and should do with America's social security. Join us tonight as Tim Penny from the Humphrey Institute explains several of the proposed plans.

Transportation Forum

Minnesota members of congress are back home for the first of several transportation forums to be held across the nation. Learn what's on the local and federal agendas tonight.

Workplace Innovation

Follow our own Koua Yang as he tours a company whose innovative practices are breaking barriers for Hmong citizens.

Mr. Hatemail

Ever received personalized hatemail? Lou Harvin has and he didn't just get mad, he got a camera. Meet "Mr. Hatemail" tonight and hear about his eccentric and controversial campaign.

Heat Wave

It's a veritable swamp out there with record highs and record high lows. Find out where the "hottest spots" are in Minnesota tonight.

- Wednesday, August 8

And Then There Were Three

Competition heats up as only three architectural teams remain in the race to design the new Minneapolis Public Library. Meet Implementation Committee Co-Chair Diane Hofstede tonight.

Rosario Review

We'll talk with Pioneer Press Columnist, Ruben Rosario, about his latest stories and about which issues he sees affecting Minnesotans most today.

Superflat!

Our very own Chuck Olsen takes a tour of the Walker Art Center's latest display: a shocking, stirring, beautiful assortment of Japanese Anime and Manga.

Plus...

Everyone's trying to stay cool at the same time but the incredible drain placed on the state's power plants is often just too much. Hear more from Xcel Energy representative, Laura McCarten tonight.

- Thursday, August 9

Stem Cell Debates

The Director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Bioethics joins us to discuss the controversial decision Bush will make tonight over funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Children Having Children

Don't Believe the Hype gets the straight story on how local youths are dealing with the issue of teen pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Conference

The White Earth Reservation is hosting its first ever Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Conference this week. We'll talk with conference coordinator, Pat Moran tonight.

Northern Irish Visitors Depart

The 123 visitors from the Children's Program of Northern Ireland are on their way back home this week. Meet a few of these young explorers and learn more about their experience living with Minnesota families tonight.

- Monday, August 13

Will Nursing Pools Dry Up?

Many temporary nursing pools are unhappy with a new state law that will restrict staff pay and benefits. Others say the law is long overdue. Hear both sides tonight.

Save Our Spirit

The White Earth Reservation has recognized a serious alcohol abuse problem within its community. Join Ken Stone tonight as he gets an inside look into the reservation's Save Our Spirit campaign to end the abuse.

Bemidji or Bust

What happens when you're looking forward to some nice "Dining with Hamsters" and it just doesn't pan out? Catch the Bemidji Playwright Guild's attempt to burst into the Fringe Festival scene.

Plus...

Check out the sumptuous tunes of Cafe Accordion, tonight on NewsNight.

- Tuesday, August 14

Forgotten Hero

Breaking into pro-football in the 1920's was no small feat for Native Americans. So why doesn't anyone remember White Earth native, Pro-football Hall of Famer Joe Gunyon? Hear his story tonight.

Reality Check

The Hype Crew takes a look at the landslide success of reality based tv shows and what they say about our society.

Citizen League

Citizens League Dave Durenberger is back on the political front today as he accepts the presidency at the Citizens League of Minnesota. Meet the League's Executive Director, Lyle Wray, tonight.

Plus...

Meet Bela Petheo, Hungarian landscape and portrait artist as he unveils his latest works at St. John's University.

- Thursday, August 16

Catch us while you can

1,523 down, zero to go. All good things must come to an end. Tonight NewsNight's staff has selected some of their favorite moments to share with you. Who did Jesse Ventura ask not to touch him? Why did Speaker Sviggum and Tim Pawlenty share a public hug? How does Eartha Kitt know when a man cares? And who smacked Lou Harvin with a coffee mug on live tv? All of your questions will be answered.

Catch him while you can

NewsNight's meteorlogical guru, Bruce Watson and his wife Louise, will join us in the studio with a special look at the long range forecast.

The Governor speaks

Nobody interviews Governor Ventura like NewsNight's Mary Lahammer does. Tonight we will take a look of some of Ventura's more memorable moments.

Thank you

The staff of NewsNight Minnesota would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported us over the years.