Entire Almanac for July 2, 1999

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Monolog
James Lileks does the 4th of July honors.

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Senator Wellstone returns from Washington
Paul Wellstone joins us at the table to chat about things Washingtonian.

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Taxes Taxes Taxes Taxes
Just how much larger will your paycheck be? Mary Lahammer brings us up to speed on the tax law changes that started yesterday.

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Party Chairs
Recently-elected party chairs from the DFL, GOP and Reform party join us on the couch.

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U. S. Supreme Court
U of M constitutional law professor Suzanna Sherry takes a look back the recently ended Supreme Court term.

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Hennepin County Juvenile Court
Pamela Alexander has been chief juvenile judge in Hennepin County for just about a year now. How are things going?

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Those darn Mosquitos
Yes they are worse this year! Before you head out for your weekend of outdoor activities tune in to Jim Stark from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District.

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Summer Seminar: Y2K
Y2K is just a mere 183 days away. We'll have a panel of experts on hand to tell us all what we can expect and how to prepare.

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Wrap up and Index File
Get last week's Hall of Fame answer...this week's question and of course our weekly dose of musical history with its very own Minnesota twist.

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Entire Almanac for July 9, 1999

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The U of M Basketball Scandal
Friday the U of M released a report on the U's handling of sexual harassment problems with U athletes. U of M President Mark Yudof joins us live.

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Coleman Strikes Out at Unions
There's trouble a'brewin' in the Capitol City. The city and its public unions have been trying to set up a joint union-management board. But the road has been rocky. This week the mayor accused city unions of working against him. Coleman aide Eric Mische squares off with Shar Knutson, president of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly.

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Computer Chat with J.G.
J.G. will be at the Almanac terminal tonight. Go to "Almanac Backstage" during the show and afterwards to find out what he's up to.

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Summer Seminar: Crime
Minneapolis' murder rate has taken a big dip this year. What's the reason? Find out the complex nature of crime statistics with guests Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson, U Professor Chris Uggen and Hennepin County Parole officer Dianne Bins.

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Twins Go Wild
The Minnesota Wild and the Twins may be pairing up. Wild investor Vance Opperman joins us live to talk about his interest in becoming a part owner of the Minnesota's baseball team.

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Citizens Forum Farm Discussion
Part of KTCA's on-going coverage of ag issues in conjunction with the Star Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio. See Mary Lahammer's report of a program taking place Friday at the Clay County Fair in Barnesville, MN.

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Twenty Million Trees Down
Some up north are calling Sunday's storm in the BWCA Northern Minnesota's summertime storm of the century. Hear from federal officials and resort owners about what happens next. Guests include U.S. Forest official Mark Van Every, DNR forester Bruce ZumBahlen and Bruce Kerfoot with the Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais.

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The Wrapup
Some fun history questions... the story behind the Almanac mystery person... and show-ending music from the cult TV classic "The Dating Game." What does that have to do with Minnesota? Tune in and find out.

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Entire Almanac for July 16, 1999

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Summerish Monologue Thoughts
The monologue this week is performed by Almanac's resident doctor, Mark DePaolis M.D. Yes, he licensed to practice in our state.

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Soliah Bail
Will Kathleen Soliah make her one million dollar bail? We'll ask guest and family friend Andy Dawkins who also happens to be a state legislator.

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Rotavirus Scare
On Thursday the CDC told American doctors to stop using a new vaccine which just came into use last year. State epidemiologist Richard Danila is our guest.

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J.G. Backstage
What to see what goes on behind the scenes at Almanac? JG Preston will give you a tour... and it all will be streamed live on our website. Check out the archive....

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Summer Seminar: Historic Preservation
Come for the graphic... stay for the information. This week's summer seminar looks at how Historic Preservation works. And why it often seems to fail. David Wiggins with the Minnesota Historical Society is joined by George Edwards with the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.

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Eurasian Milfoil
There are now 100 lakes in Minnesota where Milfoil's presence has been confirmed. Is there hope on the horizon. Let's ask that of DNR official Jay Rendall.

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Dinosaur Egg
Have you ever seen one? We'll have one on the set. Gerald Webbers at Macalester College is brining it along. He's a geology professor there.

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More J.G. Preston Backstage
Get the tour of Almanac's Wall of Fame.

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The Political Panel
Presidential stuff.. Senate polls... and a preview of the national Reform Party convention. Did we mention Jesse Ventura's wrestling gig? Lot to talk about. This week's panelists are Dean Barkley, Sarah Stoesz and Sarah Janecek.

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The Wrapup
More than 100 of you called with the right answer to the Index File question. Who was the lucky winner? Plus this week's question about Falmouth, England and some show-ending music by Morris Day and the Time.

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Entire Almanac for July 23, 1999

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A Monolog
By Carol Falkowski.

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Live from the Reform Party National Convention
Eric Eskola is in Dearborn, Michigan and joins us by phone with the latest.

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Have Elected Office Will Travel
Speaker of the Minnesota House Steve Sviggum said this week that he wants to cut house member travel by 30%. He tells us why.

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Summer Seminar: Polling
How does polling work? And why do polls often seem to disagree with each other? This week's guests include Rob Daves with the Star Tribune, Dave Peters with the Pioneer Press and Larry Jacobs at the U of M.

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Weather with Paul
Paul Douglas is back. The WCCO forecaster's monthly Almanac weather lesson is about a weather phenomenon called the "derecho". Doesn't that sound like fun?

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RU Y2K Ready?
Our state is spending 50 million dollars on Y2K readiness. Mary Lahammers brings us a report.

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Hmong Women's Circle
Mary Moua is a young Hmong-American who is starting a support group for Hmong students in three St. Paul High Schools.

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The Reform Party Convention
Three Minnesota Reformers talk about why they aren't in Dearborn, and the future of their party. Our guests are Terry Anderson, Julie Shortridge and Alan Shilepsky.

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The Wrapup
Two Minnesota history questions... your comments about Kathleen Soliah... and show-ending music by the Andrews Sisters.

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Entire Almanac for July 30, 1999

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Monolog by Dominic
At least we THINK Dominic Pappatola is doing the honors this week.

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Governor Ventura's Security
Who should pay for bodyguards when Jesse Ventura goes on a business trip? The legislative auditor issued a report this week. We debate the issue with State Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver and Legislative Auditor Commission Chair Dan McElroy, Republican House member from Burnsville.

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To Spray or Not To Spray
Friday a Metropolitan Mosquito Control District helicopter dropped insecticide on Fort Snelling State Park. But the park's managers, the state DNR, didn't want the spraying to take place. What's going on here? Tune in and find out.

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Minnesota Brass Inc.
Hear about the Midwest's premier senior drum and bugle corps. Hear about them... and hear them live in the studio. Check out Almanac BackStage for info on the group's upcoming performances.

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Summer Seminar: Population
Our latest Almanac Summer Seminar topic is the population explosion in the Twin Cities metro. Our guests are State Demographer Tom Gillaspy and John Kari with the Met Council.

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Al Gore Comes to Town
And our Mary Lahammer does a package about it.

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Politics... Politics... Poli
You know the rest. Tonight's political panel is composed of Cyndy Brucato, Dee Long and Steve Minn.

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The Wrapup
We have wrong Index File guesses for you... about how about any right ones? But we can promise that we'll end the show with another tune by the Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps.

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Entire Almanac for August 6, 1999

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Property Tax Overhaul
Friday the state is scheduled to release recommendations based on Citizens Jury discussions this week aimed at changing Minnesota's tax policies. State Revenue Commissioner Matt Smith is our guest. He's joined by state lawmakers Ron Abrams and Ann Rest.

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Girrrls Power!!
Venise Battle of St. Paul is just back from Washington where she was elected vice president of Girls Nation. What's Girls Nation? Tune in and find out.

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Irish Music Live!
Liam Clancy, of Clancy Brothers fame, will be live in the KTCA studios performing. Clancy is in town for an Irish Festival this weekend on the campus of St. Thomas University.

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Jesse on the Range
Our governor spent Thursday at Ironworld in Chisholm. What did he say? Mary Lahammer fills us in.

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First Termers Talk Taxes
Among other topics. Our first-time legislator panel pays a return visit to the couch. Republicans Jim Seifert and Mary Liz Holberg are joined by DFL house members Greg Gray and Ann Lenczewski.

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The Wrapup
Will we have to ask that Duluth Index File question a third week in a row? Find out the answer to that and other big questions. Plus your comments about mosquitoes... and more live music from Liam Clancy.

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Entire Almanac for August 13, 1999

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Ho Ho Ho
A bit of fun to start the show. And that voice you hear behind the camera is Almanac's own Koua Yang.

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Teen Prostitution Ring
Indictments came down Thursday in St. Louis against 11 Minnesotans who allegedly ran a teen prostitution ring. Our guest is Alesia Pettiford with the group PRIDE.

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Gunning for Gun Makers
St. Paul city council member Jerry Blakey wants his city to sue gun makers for what he says is industry culpability for gun violence. Blakey is joined on our set by an opponent of his plan, St. Paul city councilor Chris Coleman.

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Paul Molitor Live!!!
The future hall of famer joins us live to talk about the Twins and the team's attempt to build a stadium in St. Paul.

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The Summer Seminar: Urban Sprawl
Can we define urban sprawl? And even if we can, can we agree on what the government's role should be concerning urban growth? Tonight's seminar guests are Met Council President Ted Mondale and Republican State House member Tim Pawlenty.

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Blurp... Blurp... Blurp
Underwater fishing cameras are very controversial. This week the state DNR released a poll showing most state anglers disapprove of using cameras to fish. Our Mary Lahammer plunged into this story this week. (Our camera got in a bit over its depth in covering this story...)

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An All-Republican Political Panel
In honor of this weekend's Iowa Presidential Straw Poll. Couch sitters are Sarah Janecek, Peter Bell, Allen Quist and Todd Hill.

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The Wrapup
The answer to last week's question about that famed 1940 long jumper... plus a brand new Index File effort. Plus your viewer comments about last week's wonder guest Venise Battle.

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Entire Almanac for August 20, 1999

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James Lileks Ponders the State Fair
Just what it says it is.

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Staph Infection
An article in today's New York Times about a deadly staph infection which has been discovered in Minnesota and North Dakota. Former state epidemiologist Mike Osterholm joins us.

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A Unicameral Legislature?
A big fight over a cumbersome word. John Wodele is Governor Jesse Ventura's communications director. He is opposed in this fight by Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. It should be worth the price of admission.

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Paul Wellstone's Farm Tour
It's five days long and one of the stops on day 4 is at the KTCA Studios.

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A New Nature Preserve in Northwest Minnesota
The Nature Conservancy paid 1.7 million dollars to create a new nature preserve of nearly 10,000 acres in Kittson and Roseau Counties. It's a tall grass prairie. Tune in and find out what that means.

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Southwest State: We're Number One!
On Friday U.S. News and World Report issued its annual college rankings. And for the third straight year Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota was named the top regional public liberal arts college in the Midwest.

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Political Roundup
Which is probably what the Almanac political panel would be called if the show were done in Texas. This week's panel includes Reformer Dean Barkley, Republican Cyndy Brucato and DFLer Wy Spano.

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The Wrapup
Two Minnesota History Questions (with one answer)... your viewer comments about teen prostitution... and some show-ending music by Buck Owens and his Buckeroos who visited Minneapolis this week in 1967 and in 1970.

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Entire Almanac for August 27, 1999

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A State Fair Monolog
Watch Dr. Mark DePaolis read his monolog tonight from the State Fair without benefit of TelePrompTer!

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The Jessica Swanson Case
It's a troubling story that for many is an example of excellent police work. Others fear that the chief suspect, Dale Jenson, didn't have an attorney present when questioned by police. We'll present both sides.

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A State Fur Visitor
J. G. Preston checks out the DNR booth at the State Fair and gives us all a live report. What mystery animal will join him?

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Senator Rod Grams
Gives us the latest news from Washington, including the shakeup in his staff.

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Fair Weather
J. G. Preston is back and this time he has Almanac Summer Seminar on his mind. Paul Douglas is J.G.'s State Fair guest.

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Her Honor
Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton hasn't joined us for a while... so this week we're making up for lost time.

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A BIG Stadium Fight
That's what St. Paul has on its hands. We fill the Almanac couch with those want to build a Twins stadium in St. Paul and those who truly don't.

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The Wrapup
Last week's index file question... and a brand new one for this week (Just who was the famed American who worked at a Lake Minnetonka resort in 1888 in order to save money to attend Harvard?) Plus your thoughts about Unicameral legislatures. And the show-ending music comes courtesy of country legend Charlie Pride who played the State Fair this week ten years ago.

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Entire Almanac for September 3, 1999

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Live From San Antonio!!!
J.G. Preston's monolog comes LIVE!!!!!! from the Lone Star State. ; >)

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Just What DID Red McCombs Say?
It's the week's most curious news story and Jay Weiner from the Star Tribune pays a return visit to help us make sense of it all.

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Summer Seminar: Profile of Learning
Summer is waning and so is the Almanac Summer Seminar. Tonight's final seminar topic: Profile of Learning. Just where does it stand as Minnesota heads into a new school year?

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Remembering Dave Moore
Dave's actor son Peter has collected his father's poems under the title "Gone Fishing". Peter Moore will join us with some fun tape and stories.

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Trouble on the Farm
During the past few weeks the American agricultural crisis has gotten the attention of politicians of all stripes. Almanac's Mary Lahammer brings us a report on this week's developments.

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Congressional Duo
Many of our state's farms are located in the First and Second Congressional districts. Republican Gil Gutnecht and Democrat David Minge appear live to talk about a number of issues including emergency aid for farmers.

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Party Lines
Hear from the heads of our state's three leading parties as they join us live on the Almanac couch. Ron Ebensteiner is the chair of the state Republican Party. Mike Erlandson is our state's titular DFL head. And Rick McCluhan with the Reform Party also is our guest.

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The Wrapup
Last week's Index File Question... this week's effort (What WAS that 1927 High School title game?) your comments about a new Twins Stadium... and some show-ending music by Johnny Horton who played the State Fair this week back in 1957.

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Entire Almanac for September 10, 1999

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This Week's Monologue
Carol Falkowski's ode to the start of the school year.

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Donald Blum's Plea Bargain
For whom was it a good deal? Hear from a number of perspectives.

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Peter Max
The pop artist joins us live in the studio on the eve of his exhibition at the Fingerhut Galleries. How easy is it to create a portrait of Jesse Ventura. Max tells all.

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Cargill's Big Guest
Ten million dollars to the University of Minnesota to support genomics? What are genomics and why did it inspire the largest corporate gift in U of M history? David Larson is President of Animal Nutrition at Cargill.

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Washburn 'A' Burns Again
Hear about the latest fire to visit the jinxed historic Washburn complex in downtown Minneapolis. Minnesota Historical Society President Nina Archabal tells how this week's fire won't slow down efforts to rehab the Washburn complex.

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Dino Takes a Hike
The Science Museum closes its doors this week as it moves all its exhibits across St. Paul's downtown in time for a December grand re-opening on the Saintly City's riverfront. Mary Lahammer explains all.

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This Week's Political Panel
Tonight's trio is composed of DFLer D. J. Leary, Reformer Steve Minn and Republican Cyndy Brucato.

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The Wrapup
Two fun fasciating Minnesota history questions (Just who WAS the noted American who appeared with the Minneapolis Symphony on April 7, 1944?). Plus your feisty comments about the farm crisis... and some show-ending music by Patsy Cline who appeared at old Met Stadium this week back in 1962.

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Entire Almanac for September 17, 1999

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Hurricane Dominic
This week's monologue comes courtesy of Dominic Papatola who has actually lived in hurricane country.

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Maplewood Mishap
Voters in Maplewood got incorrect instructions for Tuesday's Primary election. Secretary of State Mary Kiffemeyer is our guest.

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Bill Bradley vs. Al Gore
Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Bradley was in the state this week drumming up support. How'd he compare to Gore? Let Mary Lahammer answer that question for you.

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KTCA Pioneer Bill Schrankler
On September 16, 1957 KTCA-TV broadcast its first program. It was "Fifth Grade Science" hosted by St. Paul Public Schools Teacher Bill Schrankler. Bill Schrankler is J.G. Preston's special guest.

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Gary Bauer
Gary Bauer wants to be your president. He says he's the strongest conservative in the GOP lineup. So why did his campaign manager quit this week to join the Steve Forbes campaign? Gary Bauer is our live guest.

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Sir Sidney
Will Star Tribune legend Sid Hartman find his way to our downtown studios? If he does, Sid will talk with Eric and Cathy about the Vikings... Gopher football... and prospects for a Saintly City Stadium.

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Bill Schrankler's Science Experiment
First time around, Bill merely talked TV. Now he dusts off his science skills and performs a science experiment for us.

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Ventura's Ethics
Common Cause Minnesota has problems with our governor's ethics. Hear Common Cause president Marc Asch tell us why.

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Legal Confessions
So-called "forced confessions" is our topic. Our guests are Hennepin County Judge Kevin Burke, defense attorney Joe Friedberg and Peter Erlinder with William Mitchell Law School.

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Entire Almanac for September 24, 1999

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Youth Violence
Rev. Devin Miller from the New Beginnings Center joins us to discuss the church community's role in eliminating youth violence.

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Ventura's Cigars
Is our governor sending the right message when it comes to smoking? Ventura spokesman John Wodele squares off with State Senator John Hottinger.

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Almanac Turns 15
Yeah, it isn't until December. But hey, we want to get an early start. J. G. Preston tells you how to vote for your favorite Almanac highlight.

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Paul Douglas' Wintertime Predictions
Fall is upon us. Paul Douglas of WCCO-TV tell us what that means. And he's always kind enough to bring us some tape to talk about.

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Sickle Cell Disease
It was announced this week that the U of M has developed pioneering treatment for Sickle Cell disease. Meet the U of M physician who made history and the New York family who received the treatment.

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More Almanac History Fun with J.G.
J.G. brings us nother classic clip from Almanac's past. It's all part of us gearing up for Almanac's 15th anniversary which will take place on December 10th. Why are we telling you about it now? Cuz we need your help....

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Jesse the Governor Visits Shakopee Prison
And our govenor has a different take on the women prisoners there. Highlights from Friday's WCCO Radio Show.

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Young Sex Offenders
This week St. Paul Police reported the rape of a 8 year old girl by a group of young boys including her 9 year old brother. We bring together a group to discuss how to deal with the troubling issues this case raises. Our guests are Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, St. Paul Police spokesman Michael Jordan, Janet Wiig with the U of M Law School and John Stanoch with the MN Attorney General's office.

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This Week's Wrapup
Two fun history questions...your viewer comments about Republican presidential hopeful Gary Bauer... and tonight's show-ending music courtesy of Almanac videographer Butch Bowring.

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