Monday, July 5

NewsNight Minnesota Special All Music show

We've got some of the best music from the last few months of NewsNight Minnesota right here, in one convenient package. Shannon Curfman, Mason Jennings, Santiago Jimenez, Jr. and much more - news never sounded this good.

NewsNight - the best thing to happen to your TV since the remote.

Tuesday, July 6

What the Heck is PRT?

It's the latest thing in public transportation; lighter and faster than light rail, Personal Rapid Transit is under discussion for the city of Rochester and folks in the Twin Cities area are starting to give the plan a look as well. Ken Stone has filed a report on this newest proposal to lessen auto traffic which will be followed by a live discussion featuring Dr. Ed Anderson, designer of the system, and Met Council representative Nacho Diaz.

Is the Jury Still Out on the Drug Court?

It's been a while now since Hennepin County instituted its' Drug Court program, a system modeled after one in place in other communities. Considered more efficient than traditional courtrooms, it's designed to help better deal with drug offenders and reduce congestion caused by these cases. Tonight, Lou Harvin takes a look at the workings of the court and some of the less than positive things that have been said about it. After, Drug Court Judge Kevin Burke will join us for a live one-on-one.

Plus...

Headlines, Northern Minnesota's flood clean-up, the commotion over jet skis in Voyageurs, terpsichorean talents on display with a live performance by the Minnesota Dance Alliance, our cute 'n cuddly weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - the best thing to happen to your TV since the remote.

Wednesday, July 7

Governor Wellstone?

Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone has already announced he won't run for a third term, and he's dropped out of the presidential race, so what's next? Some have suggested that a bid for the Governorship might not be out of reach. Tonight, we'll talk to Sen. Wellstone about his future plans when he joins us live on the set and he'll also discuss cuts for aid to veterans, the farm crisis, health care and the president's poverty tour.

Once a Gopher...

We've heard plenty in recent months about the U of M Gopher scandal and how it will affect the school, the athletic department, the "program". What we haven't heard much is how this has affected the players; those students that this whole thing is ostensibly about. Well, tonight, we'll be presenting a live discussion featuring some former Gophers, including one of the players benched during the Final Four Gonzaga game.

Plus...

Headlines, Jim Ramstad talks to kids about addiction, the latest on storm recovery in the BWCA, one photographer's quirky look at the Nicollet Mall farmers' market, grain futures are down (but the jobless rate is even lower), a live musical preview of Sommerfest, or short 'n snappy weather & more!

NewsNight - if we don't do it, who will?

Thursday, July 8

Global Perspective on a Local Situation

We've all heard about Minnesota's current farm crisis, but we wanted to know if the problems reach further than just our corner of the world. Join us this evening as we present a live discussion featuring MN farmer Will Anthony, South African farmer Eion Taggart and Egbert Conze of the German Agricultural Society as they discuss the international implications of our farmers' plight.

Plus...

Headlines, Mesaba Airlines' customer base is on the rise, but so is MnSCU tuition, an international wild rice conference, the president's new plan for prescription drugs, the governor on the air, a tribute to wilderness writer Sigurd Olson on the occasion of his 100th birthday, a live performance by jazz guitarist Eric Essix, our gimmick-free weather and more!

NewsNight - television that doesn't make you feel like you're losing brain cells by tuning in.

Monday, July 12

Remembering a Minnesota Institution

The death of Rep. Willard Munger over the weekend marked the end of an era in state politics. Tonight, Greater Minnesota editor Jim Neumann will bring us a report on Duluth reaction to Rep. Munger's passing, to be followed by a live conversation about the man, his career and his legacy. Joining us will be Representative Tom Huntley and son Willard Munger Jr.

What's Wrong, and How to Fix It

Last week's report on interference in sexual assault investigations at the University of Minnesota has opened up a whole new can of worms for the beleaguered institution. Tonight we'll talk with Jamie Tiedemann, director of the U's Program Against Sexual Violence, about what efforts are being made to improve what appears to be a situation that can't get much worse.

Plus...

Headlines, the Women's World Cup victory, remembering Larry Kitto, a potential loss of hundreds of jobs at the St. Paul Companies, our one-of-a-kind weather and more!

NewsNight - your news, our way.

NewsNight For July 13th, 1999

St.Paul Pioneer Press columnist Dave Beal will join us to talk about the 900 lost jobs at the St. Paul Companies, we'll have live discussions of the inequities in Internet access and the de-integration of schools, a preview of the Ordway's new production of "Jolson", headlines, our long-as-it-needs-to-be weather and more!

NewsNight - we're Y2K compliant.

Wednesday, July 14

You Can Take the Man Out of Wrestling....

...but you can't take wrestling out of the man. Governor Ventura today revealed the details of his August 22 stint as referee for the WWF "Summer Slam" pay-per-view event to be held at the Target Center. In addition to highlights from today's press conference, we'll also feature a live interview with a wrestling expert.

If You Build Them, They Will Come

In response to a statewide shortage of housing, some communities have become very aggressive in their efforts to get new homes built and occupied. Lou Harvin has filed a report from Wadena, MN, where minimum security state inmates are being utilized as an affordable source of labor. While prison labor isn't a new idea, this program is a far cry from the dreaded chain gangs of old.

Re-shaping St. Paul's Schools

Tonight, recently appointed St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Harvey will join us for a live one-on-one to talk about overhauling the current school administration and her thoughts on her first months on the job.

A Taste of Sommerfest

Tonight, our Spotlight segment features a performance from pianist William Wolfram prior to his appearance at the Minnesota Orchestra's Viennese Sommerfest.

Plus...

Headlines, Jim Neumann's coverage of the Willard Munger funeral, our funky little weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - it's a habit you'll want to get into.

Thursday, July 15

The Damndest Thing You Ever Saw

Where can you find 34 parking lots, 26 gas stations, 9 swimming pools and a chocolate room? At the Walker, where an exhibit of the work of Los Angeles artist Edward Ruscha is on display. Arts producer Stephanie Mosher gives us a up-close look at this unusual artistic statement.

Plus...

Headlines, Lt. Governor Mae Schunk on kids, learning and her boss in a boa, no new permits for the BWCA, the "Don't Believe the Hype" crew takes a look at "Rabbit in the Moon", state park access cutbacks, tangoing in the park, a live performance by bluegrass band Lonesome Timber, our one-of-a-kind weather and more!

NewsNight - we're reshaping newscasts, one evening at a time.

Monday, July 19

All Towns Love Tourists, Don't They?

For some time now, Duluth has been promoting itself as a vacation destination and gateway to points north, trying to tap the multi-billion tourist market. The plan has been working just fine so far, except that it's been discovered that a majority of Duluthians really don't like having tourists around. Our Greater Minnesota editor Jim Neumann has submitted a report on a new advertising campaign designed to encourage residents to welcome visitors with open arms and jingling cash registers.

Open Air Bard

Shakespeare in the Park, a theatrical performance company, has spent the summer touring the Twin Cities open-air stages with their production of "The Tempest". Tonight, we'll present a video clip of the performance as well as a conversation with actor Chris Carlson (Prospero).

Plus...

Headlines, the airport/Mall of America land swap, the wild, wild Qwest, Mike Hatch announces a new lawsuit, a live performance by flautist extraordinaire Emmanuel Pahud, our itsy-bitsy weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - and they said we'd never last....

Tuesday, July 20

All Kennedy, All the Time

Media observers and the public alike have been criticizing the over-hyped, over-blown, under-informed nature of much of the coverage of last weekend's tragic Kennedy plane crash. Tonight, we'll be talking with Ruben Rosario of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and KSTP-TV assistant news director Mark Ginther about saturation news coverage and just how much of it the market will bear.

US Qwest?

Tonight, Milda Hedblom of Augsburg College and the Humphrey Institute will join us to talk about the issues and implications raised by the proposed US West/Qwest merger.

Music to Move Your Feet

Our Spotlight guests tonight will be the six-piece Cliff Brunzell and Friends dance band. They will be recreating the Oscar Danielson Orchestra for concerts at the American Swedish Institute.

Plus...

Headlines, victory in a same-sex harassment lawsuit, our governor's mysterious back ailment, thousands of Polaris snowmobiles recalled, Soliah makes bail in California, St. Paul's model railroad convention, our short n' snappy weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - if we don't do it, who will?

Wednesday, July 21

Front Runner in the Twin Cities

Leading Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush, Jr. was in town today and political reporter Mary Lahammer will bring us a report on his activities. Then, we'll convene our political science panel to discuss not only the Bush candidacy, but the still-embryonic presidential race for the year 2000.

A Bridge to the Past

First, we'll preview tonight's KTCA documentary on the Wabasha Bridge with a clip from the production, then we'll chat with St. Paul Public Works' Kevin Nelson about the history of the span and its' recent reconstruction.

Plus...

Headlines, a live discussion about Hazelden's marijuana study, new jobs from Auto Nation, the EPA files suit against the Met Council, a MnSCU tuition hike, disappointing poll results for stadium proponents, the ongoing sex equity conference in Duluth, our neat 'n tidy weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - this ain't your father's newscast.

Thursday, July 22

They Liked It So Much the First Time...

All this week, the Star Tribune has run a series on the state's career criminals, repeat offenders and the like. Tonight, we'll have a live conversation with Star Tribune court reporter and chief contributor to the series Paul Gustafson about work release programs.

The Only Special Effect in These Films is Talent

To celebrate the "Classically Independent Film Festival", we'll be screening clips from films to be screened at the fest and then we'll follow that up with a three-way chat to include Jane Minton of IFP North and local filmmaker Benno Nelson.

Tonight, the Spotlight Shines On...

...a live performance from the Penumbra Theatre's production of "Redlights and Poetry".

Plus...

Headlines, a Minnesota town fires its' entire police force, more on the millions of dollars worth of storm damage around the state, Governor Ventura's comments on his recent approval ratings, our spunky little weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - your news, our way.

Monday, July 26

This Time They Really Mean It

Actual construction efforts toward the Highway 55 re-route have finally begun, marked by more protests and more arrests. Lou Harvin takes a look at this latest chapter in a most tumultuous construction tale. Then, we'll be joined in the studio by MnDOT Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenbery for a discussion of the future of the Highway 55 project

Plus...

Headlines, the new U of M coach, a recap of the Reform Party convention with Dean Barkley and new state party chair Rick McCluhan, a live performance by Sommerfest violinist Matthew Trusler and more!

NewsNight - we won't spend half our show telling you how hot it was.

Tuesday, July 27

Hope Springs Eternal

Minneapolis' Phillips neighborhood has long suffered a reputation as dangerous and crime-ridden. An organization known as Hope Community, Inc. has been working with the residents to create a new Phillips, one that has become a model for other troubled neighborhoods in the area. Ken Stone tonight will bring us part 2 of his report on community development from the inside out.

But Is It Legal?

The City of St. Paul and, specifically, the mayor's office have been accused of using tax money to promote a new Twins stadium in violation of spending laws. Joining us to talk about the allegations will be Erich Mische, St. Paul's Director of Strategic Initiatives and David Schultz, president of Common Cause Minnesota.

Plus...

Headlines, millions of dollars in housing grants, new development for Duluth's Miller Hill area, a delay in the results of the Gopher investigation, a discussion of inequity in storm damage relief funds, our just-long-enough weather forecast and more!

NewsNight - the Twin Cities' alternative newscast.

Wednesday, July 28

Reaping a Crop of Discontent

We've been hearing about the ongoing farm crisis for some time now, and new issues keep cropping up. Yesterday, the topic was considering cattle as crops for insurance purposes and, today, people are asking how farmers can be poor when cereal costs so much. The Minnesota Farm Network's Tom Rothman will join us once again for a wide-ranging discussion of what's going on out in the fields and what's being done to help these beleaguered farmers keep their heads above water.

Who Tests the Testers?

Standardized testing is all the rage in schools, but is it the best way to determine performance? Joe Nathan of the Humphrey Institute will be with us this evening to talk about a recent grant earmarked for a performance review of the testing parameters and procedures.

Here Comes the New Guy

NewsNight 's Mary Lahammer today sat with newly hired Gophers coach Dan Monson to talk about his plans for the upcoming season.

Tonight's Spotlight Shines On...

...a group of talented young singers from Vista Productions' "Children of Eden". Catch them tonight before they leave for Scotland and an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Plus....

Headlines, some controversial new billboards, the Hollman 14 say they're not guilty, our spunky little weather forecast and more!

Thursday, July 29

We're Feeling a Little Purple Today...

Vikings' training camp begins Sunday and, today, Lou Harvin caught up with Coach Green and some team members at a charity event out at Rush Creek Golf Course. He brought back a report on the team's thoughts about what some think may be their greatest season ever.

Plus...

Headlines, Vice-President Gore's visit, Jim Neumann's look at a Duluth artist's exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, a visit to some of the state's National Parks, the BWCA gets storm relief, two looming audits, security at Highway 55, our steamy forecast and more!

NewsNight - a cooling oasis of sanity on a torrid day.

NewsNight Minnesota is a TPT production.

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