December 1, 1998 - A Federal Reserve Bank official says threats to the U.S. economy because of overseas financial troubles are exaggerated. And he says Minnesota's economy remains especially strong. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 1516 | TIME: 2:23 | OUTCUE: "...SOC --------------------------------------------------------- Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank vice president and chief researcher Arthur Rolnick describes as 'short-sighted' news media accounts predicting that economic problems in Asia will adversely affect the U.S. economy. Rolnick says the U.S. economy is strong and resilient, and that business with Asian countries is only a small part of it. He says Minnesota's economy mirrors the national economy. Some businesses are having problems, he says, but overall, it's diverse enough to take the strain:
December 2, 1998 - A former giant of the exercise equipment industry passed from local control this week. NordicTrack, which sold millions of dollars-worth of cross country-ski machines since the mid-eighties, has fallen foul of changes in US exercise habits. Minnesota Public Radio Sports Commentator Jay Wiener has this analysis... Minnesota Public Radio Sports Commentator Jay Wiener is on leave from the Star Tribune Newspaper to write a book on the politics of sports stadiums. Sun 28-MAY 07:43:20 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
December 2, 1998 - Tensions between US and Canadian farmers are risning rise again, and may erupt this weekend. Plans are being laid to repeat -- and expand -- September's border blockade of Canadian agricultural goods to market in the US. But Canada is not backing down saying such protests will do nothing to resolve longstanding conflicts between the US and Canada. Yesterday in Washington, the Canadian minister of Agriculture told farm representatives the border delays, and indeed much of US farmers' antagonism toward Canada are based on misperceptions. From Washington, Emily Harris reports. TRXX 1: Canadian Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanklief says US farmer complaints of Canadian trade obstacles are BASED ON RUMOUR not facts -- and are being MADE loudly now due to worldwide low prices for
December 2, 1998 - If all goes as planned, the space shuttle Endeavour will lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Flordia early tomorrow morning carrying a key component of the new International Space Station. Minnesota has some interesting connections to the first of what will be dozens of shuttle flights associated with construction of the space station. Native son Bob Cabana is commanding the shuttle mission, making his fourth trip to space. And Minnesota-based Honeywell is one of the top contractors that's helping to build the research facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson released the final budget forecast of his administration today, and the state's economic picture is rosy. It shows a surplus of one-and-a-half billion dollars for the bienium ending in June. Republicans, D-F-L'ers and Governor-elect Jesse Ventura all support giving some of the surplus back to taxpayers, but the debate is over when to return the money. It's a political minefield for Ventura who swept into office on the strength of promises to cut taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Governor Carlson was gleeful as he announced he's leaving the state in a much better financial condition than when he arrived in office. He says a combination of spending cuts, a healthy economy and the state's tobacco settlement have led to higher than expected revenues...
December 3, 1998 - One of the people Governor-elect Ventura turned to for advice on the surplus was Wells Fargo Bank chief economist Dr. Sung Won Sohn. Sohn says he advised the new governor to be cautious: Wells Fargo Bank Senior Vice President and chief economist Dr. Sung Won Sohn. Sun 28-MAY 07:41:51 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
December 3, 1998 - (UPDATE TO REFLECT LAUNCH SCRUB ETC!) TOP WITH LAUNCH TAPE!!!! The space shuttle Endeavour will lifted of early this morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Flordia carrying a key component of the new International Space Station. Minnesota has some interesting connections to the first of what will be dozens of shuttle flights associated with construction of the space station. Native son Bob Cabana is commanding the shuttle mission, making his fourth trip to space. And Minnesota-based Honeywell is one of the top contractors that's helping to build the research facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 4, 1998 - Minnesota charities say Minnesota's unusually warm weather is threatening their bottom lines. Many agencies say most folk don't get into the giving mood until cold and snow let them know the holidays have arrived. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen reports: With temperatures reaching into the 50s and 60s for more than a week, it feels more like spring than fall or winter. And non-profits say that's causing them problems: 1:10 "People are enjoying the nice weather outside, and are just grabbing those golf clubs, not reaching for their wallets,
December 4, 1998 - U-S trade officials say an agreement announced today will mean fairer and more open agricultural trade with Canada. The trade pact will remove many restrictions on U-S farm products going north. But many midwestern farmers are unimpressed. They plan to go ahead with a weekend border blockade. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports. The deal calls for increased monitoring of Canada's wheat sales and fewer restrictions on American grain and livestock moving north. U-S agriculture secretary Dan Glickman says the agreement will help
December 4, 1998 - MPR’s Mary Stucky reports that the hottest toy this Christmas season reflects the old adage "we want what we can't have.” The toy in question is called a Furby, a furry electronic pet. In the business of toy marketing, scarcity drives consumer demand. The day after Thanksgiving people lined up at local toy stores at six in the morning. One store at the Mall of America sold out 300 Furbys in just ten minutes. It's another example of how advertising, a limited product supply and the demands of children can create a monster demand. But the Furby may be something new; in an age of global communications there is a worldwide demand...and an international shortage.