May 20, 1998 - Steve Young, a former dean of the Hamline University law school says it's unethical for the Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi Law Firm to charge $560 Million dollars for its work on the state's recently-settled tobacco lawsuit. Young filed a complaint with the Lawyers' Professional Responsibility Board, alleging that the size of the fee violates professional rules.
May 20, 1998 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports that Tom Clancy has dropped his bid to purchase the Minnesota Vikings. The best-selling author had emerged as the surprise top bidder for the Vikings, but the efforts fell apart. The result is an open question on who will be the new owner of team.
May 21, 1998 - Airline industry experts expect tomorrow to be the busiest day in aviation history. The experts say more than two-million people are expected to get on a plane at the start of the Memorial Day weekend. For the week ending next Tuesday, more than 12-point-five million people are expected to fly to their destination. The Air Transport Association, representing the biggest U-S carriers, says the proportion of seats filled on flights systemwide could be as high as 83 percent. Amy Rea (Ray) is a travel analyst with Schilling Travel in Minneapolis. She says the high numbers predicted by the industry surprise her. Amy Rea, a travel analyst with Minneapolis-based Schilling Travel.
May 22, 1998 - Larry Buboltz, Director of the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, and Earl Wilson, Deputy Commissioner of the MN Dept of Economic Security, discuss summer jobs. Topics include what's available, who can get them, what employers are looking for, pay and skills required, and the job market.
May 22, 1998 - Tobacco legislation in the U-S Senate faces a roadblock, as Senate members have signaled their opposition to limit the industry's liability from lawsuits to eight billion dollars a year. Meanwhile, Senate conservatives have attacked the bill's tax increases. The tobacco bill's chief author, Arizona Senator John McCain, says he will continue to push the legislation. Those price increases are the subject of current television ads sponsored by the tobacco industry. The ads feature portrayals of working people who smoke asking why Congress is singling them out for another tax. David Logan, law professor at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina says the ads are a smart strategy by the tobacco industry.
May 22, 1998 - Northwest Airlines employees angry about not having contracts in place, picketed the airline today in several cities. The airline's largest union, the machinists, held a rally near the Twin Cities airport to protest the slow pace of contract negotiations. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
May 22, 1998 - The Minnesota Thunder, the state's only pro soccer club, plays its home-opener tomorrow night (SAT). The team has started the season with a 4-and-2 winning streak on the road, and team managers are hoping that will translate into profits -- something the team has not yet seen in its 8-year history. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: ((BANG of ball hitting chainlink, cheers, followed by predictable soccer practice soundbed)) Attacker Amos Magee is on a hot streak -- he's scored five goals in his last four games, something akin to a baseball player getting a hit every time he walks up to the plate. During team practice at the National Sports Center soccer stadium in Blaine, Magee's coach and teammates treat him as the star of the moment... but the St Paul native is careful not to crow:
May 25, 1998 - Traffic on many Minnesota roads is bumper-to-bumper this evening as Memorial Day travelers return home. If you got a long drive ahead and are looking for a little diversion, entertainment might be just a cow pasture away. Author John Pukite (Poo-Kee-Tee) says everyone loves to look at cows. In his new book "A Field Guide to Cows", Pukite describes in detail the 52 cattle breeds found in the United States. John Pukite (Poo-Kee-Tee) is author of "A Field Guide to Cows." He will sign copies of his book July 9th at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Maple Grove at 7pm.
May 26, 1998 - The federal government has awarded more than $21 million dollars to the city of Minneapolis for housing and community development. Federal officials say Minneapolis is an example of what they want cities to do to get federal housing money. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports.
May 27, 1998 - There's word today the federal transporation bill contains money to help build LRT along the Hiawatha corridor in Minneapolis. The prospect of a shiney new light rail line has stolen the transit spotlight the last few months. But the man credited with playing a key role in securing the LRT dollars told an audience at Minneapolis transit forum today buses must play a bigger role in Twin Cities transit. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. Dozens of North American cities have a head start over Minneapolis on light rail transit projects. But Congressman Martin Sabo says the effort to win federal funds for the Hiawatha avenue line is a turning point. He says it shows interest groups are once again thinking about the future. But Sabo cautions while Light rail is glamorous says bus