Minnesota Political History 101, Part 7

We're wrapping our mini-history of Minnesota politics with a story about a man who ran for president nine times.

Harold Stassen was the boy wonder of Minnesota politics, winning the state's highest office at age 31. He delivered the keynote address at the 1940 Republican Convention and was seen as a rising star in the party.

MN90 producer Marisa Helms has the story.

posted by: Joel
November 1, 2010 - 01:06 am
comments: 0

Minnesota Political History 101, Part 6

Jesse Ventura wasn't the first third-part candidate to win a big race in Minnesota.

It first happened in 1890 when a People's Party candidate won a U.S. House race.

MN90 producer Marisa Helms says third party candidates do better here than in other states. Recent successful third-party wins have been due, in part, to a supportive public financing system and being in the right place at the right time.

posted by: Joel
October 31, 2010 - 01:06 am
comments: 0

Minnesota Political History 101, Part 5

In the countdown to Election Day 2010, we're highlighting political stories in our MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds archive. The series is a co-production of Ampers and the Minnesota Historical Society. The mini-stories air every weekday on Ampers stations statewide.

Today we remember a man who was beloved by DFLers in the state: Senator Paul Wellstone.

posted by: Joel
October 30, 2010 - 01:06 am
comments: 0

Minnesota Political History 101, Part 4

The Norm Coleman-Al Franken U.S. Senate recount of 2008 wasn't the first super close statewide race in Minnesota. The 1962 gubernatorial race was super close too.

And it wasn't Minnesota Nice.

MN90 producer Marisa Helms has the story.

posted by: Joel
October 29, 2010 - 01:06 am
comments: 0

Minnesota Political History 101, Part 3

With less than one week before Election Day, we're digging into Minnesota's rich political history with highlights from MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds.

posted by: Joel
October 28, 2010 - 01:06 am
comments: 7

Minnesota Political History 101, Part 2

If you've ever wandered around the grounds of the State Capitol, you'll likely to find a statue of Floyd B. Olson, the first Farmer-Laborite governor of Minnesota. Elected in 1930, Olson took office at a desperate time. There were bread lines and the Great Depression was in full swing.

MN90's Marisa Helms has the story.

posted by: Joel
October 27, 2010 - 01:06 am
comments: 0

Minnesota Political History 101, Part 1

Don't know much about Minnesota political history?

We aim to change that.

Between now and Election Day 2010, Ampers Backstage Blog will be posting audio from our MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds series that's focused on our state's political history. From the 1930 gubernatorial election (anyone remember Floyd B. Olson?) to the more recent gubernatorial election that "shocked the world," we'll fill you in on all kinds of good stuff.

And we'll do it fast.

posted by: Joel
October 26, 2010 - 12:39 pm
comments: 0

Verne Gagne: Ripped and Ready for Action

Lots of people worship at church on Sunday morning. In the early 1980s, I spent many Sunday mornings watching "AWA All-Star Wrestling," starring the likes of Nick Bockwinkel and Buck "Rock n' Roll" Zumhoff, shown here in this YouTube video.

posted by: Joel
October 4, 2010 - 02:51 pm
comments: 0

MN90: A quick dose of Minnesota History

Listeners in Minneapolis, Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato and elsewhere are now enjoying episodes of "MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds," a new show from Ampers and the Minnesota Historical Society.

The daily show highlights a nugget of Minnesota history on just about any topic: How food-on-a-stick became the State Fair norm, why the inventor of the baseball slider didn't get the attention he deserved or what is the silly question the singer of the hit song "Funkytown" is often asked.

(The silly question: "Just where is Funkytown anyway?")

posted by: Joel
September 8, 2010 - 10:51 am
comments: 0