Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
December 15, 2000 - Mark Seeley talks about the warm up from last week's frigid temperatures.
December 15, 2000 - Rod Grams spent his last day as a Senator preparing to vote on a 450-billion dollar budget bill. Grams has served eight years in Congress, serving one term in the House of Representatives and one term in the Senate. He lost his re-election bid to Democratic challenger Mark Dayton in November. Grams says leaving Congress is bittersweet.
December 15, 2000 - The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Office says the state's economy should continue to grow, but not as fast as it did in the last year. The Fed's Forecast for 2001 predicts the economy will create more jobs and higher income levels, but says overall growth will fall well short of previous years'. But others say the Fed's predictions are too optimistic, and consumers and investors should be prepared for a downturn and maybe a recession. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
December 15, 2000 - UNemployment remains low across Minnesota, despite a slowing economy. In Northeast Minnesota's Arrowhead, the jobless rate hovers around 3-percent; but new data shows that many of those with jobs are either working below their abilities, or making less money than they could elsewhere. Economic development officials hope to convince new employers the region's under-employment represents a hidden work force that's ready to be tapped. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
December 15, 2000 - Congress is expected to vote on and pass a 450 billion dollar legislative package today that includes funding for labor, education and healthcare. Minnesota healthcare workers are watching the bill closely, because it contains 100 million dollars for the state's hospitals. The money is intended to make up for cuts in the medicare program after the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. Healthcare officials say its a step in the right direction, but that they'll need more funding to keep Minnesota's hospitals healthy. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
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December 15, 2000 - Governor Ventura traveled to Thief River Falls today to help Arctic Cat unveil a new snowmobile. The company says the machine is quieter and cleaner and will revolutionize the industry. Environmentalists call the new snowmobile window dressing, designed to convince the government to rescind a ban on the machines in national parks. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
December 15, 2000 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports that the 2000 census will likely show continued population loss in the state's most rural counties. In western Minnesota, some counties have lost 10% of their population over the last decade. Lac Qui Parle county shows one of the biggest losses as its population continues to age.
December 15, 2000 - Money for park projects in Minneapolis won out over some city councilmembers' concerns about unmet infrastructure needs as the council narrowly approved the city's one billion dollar budget for 2001 last (thurs) night. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
December 15, 2000 - Another winter storm is on the way for the weekend packing strong winds, dangerously cold windchills and blowing snow. Bill Harrison, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, says we are experiencing the calm before the storm.