Yet Another Stadium Referendum...

...and this time it's in North Carolina. It has all the ingredients of Minnesota's struggles with the Twins - questions of public funding, grassroots coalitions in opposition and pricey ad campaigns. Tonight, the Triad decides if it can offer the Twins a new home and we'll bring you coverage from both North Carolina and the Twin Cities.

Oberstar One-on-One

In the latest of our series of Congressional interviews, Ken Stone sits down with Rep. James Oberstar to discuss Northwest Airlines' recent troubles, the Chinese economy, Congress' lack of an agenda and his own future plans.

Ada: One Year Later

First, a look back at the devastating floods that swept through Ada, MN last year, then we'll chat live with Donald Visser, Mayor of Ada.

Plus...

A new Edison school, water quality, Isle Royale, our spunky little weather forecast and a U of M pharmacologist talking about those new cancer drugs. NewsNight - who else can offer you all this?

Wednesday, May 6, 1998

North Carolina Decides

The results are in from yesterday's baseball referendum in the Triad where the residents resoundingly shot down a plan to build a stadium with public dollars. Tonight we talk live with Sens. Roger Moe and John Marty about the future of Minnesota baseball, and then we'll get reaction from the chairman of Charlotte's Reigonal Sports Commission.

An Embarrassment of Riches?

This weekend's fishing opener is expected to be calm, peaceful and teeming with walleye. Ken Stone recently returned from Mille Lacs where he discovered that easy fishing this early in the year may mean there won't be any left by season's end.

KFAI Celebration

We'll close out tonight's show with live music to celebrate KFAI-FM's upcoming 20th anniversary. KFAI General Manager Denise Mayotte will then join us to fill us in on the station's party plans.

Plus...

The tobacco trial, zebra mussels & feedlots, HMOs, farm prices and our one-of-a-kind weather forecast. NewsNight - your minimum daily requirement for news and information.

Thursday, May 7, 1998

Wounded Knee: Then & Now

Last week, NewsNight anchor Ken Stone traveled to South Dakota and has brought us a report that looks at the commemoration of Wounded Knee's 25th anniversary. Then, we'll follow up with a three-way discussion featuring Clyde Bellecourt, Larry Leventhal and John Poupart.

The Man Who Kept the Peace

Ramsey County Chief Judge Larry Cohen looks back at the tumult surrounding St. Paul's 8-month-long Wounded Knee trial in 1974 and his determination, as that city's mayor, to provide an atmosphere in which all parties would receive fair and equitable treatment.

Ada: One Year Later

First, we'll take a look back at Ada's devastating flood of 1997, then we'll chat live with Donald Visser, mayor of Ada.

Plus...

The last gasps of the tobacco trial, Northwest Airlines, Gulf War $ and the one, the only NewsNight weather forecast. So, tune in and spend a half-hour with us - after all, it's still raining outside......

Monday, May 11, 1998

Inside the Tobacco Trial

Attorney Michael Ciresi joins us this evening to give us a first-hand, insider's look at the behind-the-scenes machinations of the state's tobacco trial.

Be Careful What You Wish For...

Minnesota has finally wrapped up its' suit against the tobacco industry to the tune of $6.17 billion. There are almost as many ideas on how to spend it as there are dollars in the settlement, so we've invited several lawmakers to give us their thoughts on the upcoming disbursement of the money.

Opera, Anyone?

We close tonight's show with a live performance by the cast of the U of M Quarterly Opera's production of "Candide"

Plus...

Headlines, drug courts, child care, sex offender notifications, a little of this, a little of that and our little weather forecast that could. So check us out - we just may surprise you.

Tuesday, May 12, 1998

Merger Mania!

Corporations these days are melding, merging, uniting, joining forces, call it what you will, it's happening with astonishing rapidity. As citizens, should we (and do we) care? Joining us tonight to help sort it all out are Gail MarksJarvis of the Pioneer Press, Ron Feldman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and Jay Tejera of Dain Rauscher Wessels.

Neighborhoods Helping Themselves

Inner city neighborhoods are relying more and more frequently on block clubs for crime prevention, beautification and protection - but do they really work? First, we'll take a look at the Thomas-Dale area in St. Paul, then follow up with a live discussion featuring representatives from the St Paul Police and the Thomas-Dale block club.

Somebody Say Amen!

We'll close out tonight's show with a live, hand-clappin', foot-stompin' performance from the gospel quartet Shades of Brown

Plus...

Headlines, Northwest Air, the water in Duluth, the MCLU and that darn weather forecast. NewsNight - Minnesota's different newscast.

Wednesday, May 13, 1998

Hands Across the Water

There are currently over 400 Minnesota companies doing business with the People's Republic of China, so, with tomorrow's start of a major China/Minnesota trade conference in the offing, we've invited the President of The American Assembly and the former Consul General to Hong Kong to give us an overview of Minnesota's connections to a larger world.

Taming Violence By Satellite

Few would argue that violence is getting out of hand, and many throw up their hands and say nothing can be done. But an organization called Minnesota Peace Links has joined forces with the Harvard School of Public Health to look at violence as a public health crisis and they're using satellite technology to get the word out to 50 communities around the country. First, Lou Harvin takes a look at today's nationwide satellite uplink, then we'll hear from Helen Bassett, president of Catalyst, Inc. and one of the administrators of the program here in Minnesota.

Rod Grams One-on-One

Ken Stone sits down to talk taxes with Sen. Rod Grams who has some ideas of his own on how to simplify the national tax mess.

Plus...

Headlines, black bears, a dinosaur full of cocaine, layoffs in Duluth and our quirky, yet oddly endearing weather forecast. NewsNight - the newscast of what City Pages hails as the best tv station in the Twin Cities. Who are we to argue?

Thursday, May 14, 1998

Sex Offender Notifications

Is it a public service or an indeterminate sentence? Tonight, NewsNight's Lou Harvin takes a look at a recent notification hearing in St. Paul, to be followed by a panel discussion including a psychologist and representatives from the Minneapolis Police Dept. and the Department of Corrections

Internet For Everyone?

U.S. West will soon be rolling out new high-speed Internet phone lines that could radically change that system's performance and affordability, so we've invited Augsburg College's Milda Hedblom to come on the show and share her insights into the matter.

You Liked It So Much The First Time....

We received so many positive comments after their last appearance that we decided to offer an encore performance by 'Shades of Brown' to close out this evening's show.

Plus...

Headlines, walleyes, sober homes, a beleaguered church in Duluth and our very own little weather forecast. See, there is something on tonight other than "Seinfeld"

Monday, May 18, 1998

Miracle Cancer Drugs?

In the past weeks, there have been numerous reports of breakthrough treatments to combat cancer, but is it a case of too much coverage too soon? Tonight, we'll be joined by a U of M bioethicist to discuss the broader implications of these latest medical advances.

Minnesota Not-So-Nice?

On the eve of a state-wide Hate Crimes Conference, we've invited a representative from the Gay & Lesbian Community Action Council to talk about recent incidents, such as the multiple vandalizations of A Brother's Touch bookstore.

And In Closing...

To wrap up tonight's show, we're featuring a live performance by the cast of the Minnesota Opera's production of "Tosca".

Plus...

Tobacco settlement money, the future of River Centre, The MPCA vs. Koch Refinery and NewsNight's itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny weather forecast. Tune us in and try out a different kind of newscast.

Tuesday, May 19, 1998

The Dust Settles in the BWCA

After years of disagreement on BWCA issues, Representatives Jim Oberstar and Bruce Vento recently came to a rather surprising compromise. Tonight, both gentlemen join our show live by satellite to tell us how it came about.

Out of the Closet and Into the Crosshairs?

Crimes against gays and lesbians have been around so long, and become so prevalent, they're almost a kind of cliche. Recently, a gay filmmaker created "Licensed to Kill", a disturbing film featuring interviews with convicted murderers of gays and we'll present a segment featuring Minnesota's Jay Johnson. Then, Tommie Seidel of the Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council will come on to discuss local incidents, such as the recent vandalism at A Brother's Touch bookstore in Minneapolis.

Hate Crimes Summit

We'll have a four-way discussion about the larger topic of hate crimes in general, with participants including a gay Minneapolis police officer, Deputy Hennepin Co. Attorney Pat Diamond, Jay Tcath from the Jewish Community Relations Council and Commissioner of Human Rights Dolores Fridge

Plus...

Headlines, Koch Refinery, the Bancroft Awards, crossing guards on parade and our never imitated, never duplicated weather forecast. NewsNight - it's what Oprah would watch if she could.

Wednesday, May 20, 1998

MPCA vs. Koch

Last month, the MPCA announced a 6-plus million dollar pollution penalty against Koch Refining, then, this week, tabled a proposed new permit for the company. Tonight, we'll have a Koch representative on the set to present their side of the story.

Of Bunnies and Virgins

One has been a Playboy bunny, actress and author; the other has created a telling little film about a teen's sexual awakening. NewsNight's Patty Hegman recently spoke with both of these women, and we'll share with you some of what she discovered.

Lottery Fever!

A $175 million jackpot brings out even the most casual of gamblers, and they sometimes get in over their heads. We'll be joined by George Anderson of the Minnesota State Lottery to find out the pleasures and pitfalls of chasing the rainbow's end.

Plus...

Headlines, Hmong protestors, Steve Young, the Queer patrol, Highway 55 and our one-and-only, in-an-instant weather forecast. NewsNight - no one else in town does it the way we do.

Thursday, May 21, 1998

Back To Square One

At first, it appeared that Tom Clancy was to be the savior of the Vikings. But now that the deal has fallen through, will the team be up for grabs? Vikings President Roger Headrick joins us live in the studio to answer the question, "What now?"

Fostering a Loving Home

Abandoned. Abused. Delinquent. Neglected. Disabled. Who takes in these kids? Foster parents take up much of the slack, and, tonight, we present an in-depth discussion on the subject, featuring Dorothy Renstrom of the MN Dept. of Human Services, Ramsey Co. Director of Social Services Dave May and foster parent Clara Shattuck.

Fallen Through the Cracks

In spite of everyone's best efforts, some kids still end up on the streets. How can we, as a society, bring these kids back from the brink? Karen Trondson, of the runaway organization Streetwise will join us to share how she tries to get these homeless ones returned to society...and safety.

Plus...

Headlines, a shorter Beargrease, the bouncing Powerball and our very own pocket-sized weather forecast. NewsNight - your minimum daily requirement for news and information.

A Minnesota Institution

Since Memorial day is the traditional start to the vacation season, we thought we'd take this opportunity to celebrate a Minnesota fixture's milestone - the 100th anniversary of Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge. We'll be joined by Chris Ruttger, who'll give us a look back at the resort's long and colorful history.

Plus...

A look at the impressive mosaics of Lakewood Chapel and the street signs of Appleton plus a few other surprises. So, after the picnic, the backyard barbecue or the day at the beach, sit back and joins as we present another look at some of our favorite stories. NewsNight - the perfect end to a perfect (holi-)day.

Tuesday, May 26, 1998

Citizens Speak Out on Crime

Last week, as part of our continuing partnership with the U of M, the Star Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio, we gathered together a group of police, citizens and policy makers from across the state to talk about crime, its' causes, costs and effects. NewsNight's Mike Mulcahy was there and he'll bring us a report.

A Powerful Tool or The Latest Band-Aid?

CODEFOR - the Minneapolis Police consider it an effective new weapon to fight crime at a neighborhood level, but others argue it's nothing more than legitimized police harassment. Tonight, Minneapolis Police Department's Lucy Gerold joins us to explain just what it is and how it's supposed to help.

Plus...

A live discussion on the disturbing trend of kids killing kids, a Vikings update, crop reports, the Itasca trial, headlines and our short, but to-the-point, weather forecast. NewsNight - make it a part of your daily informational regimen.

Wednesday, May 27, 1998

Starting on a Fresh Page

For some months now, we've been following the progress of one mother's attempt to get her family off welfare with the assistance of the innovative ROOF Program. Tonight, Ken Stone takes us with her as she graduates from school and begins a new career in trucking. After, he'll be joined by Sen. Linda Berglin, Rosemary Frazel of the Children's Defense Fund and State Dept. of Human Services representative Deborah Huskins to talk about the current status of welfare reform in the state.

A Mother's Crusade Against Illiteracy

Claudia Darkins, author of 'A Name I Can't Read: The Rocky Road to Literacy, A Mother's Story', will discuss her two sons' traumatic experiences in school that led to her examination of the widespread illiteracy among black youth.

Once More, With Feeling

As a special treat, we'll close out tonight's show with a live performance by jazz pianist Mark Naftalin.

Plus...

Headlines, the U of M's Cancer Center, postal worker pickets and our famous now-you-see-it, now-you-don't weather forecast. NewsNight - the local newscast for people who expect a little more out of their TV set.

Thursday, May 28, 1998

The Generation Gap Redux

A generation ago they pioneered the concept of "recreational drug use". Now, according to two recent studies, they seem to be blithely unaware of their own children's drug and alcohol usage and are sending mixed messages on the subject. Joining us tonight will be Ariel White-Kovach of Hazelden's Center of Youth & Family to give us some perspective on these most recent revelations.

Related Links:
Hazelden home page

Gore, Powell and Minnesota's Kids

Vice-President Gore and General Colin Powell were at the Minneapolis Convention Center today for the Minnesota Alliance with Youth Summit. To tell us more about the Summit, we've invited Donna Gillen, Director of the MN Alliance with Youth and three young people who invest their time and energies in attempting to make the world a little bit better.

A Musical Exit

To close out tonight's show, we'll be featuring a live musical performance by Speaking in Tongues.

Plus...

Headlines, the Northwest strike vote, area code changes and our signature mini weather forecast. NewsNight - the news you want without all that fluff.

NewsNight Minnesota is a TPT production.

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