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.
December 8, 1998 - FOR TUES ME The big red Northstar Blanket factory sign will be lit Wednesday for the first time in 50 years. The moribund riverfront building in downtown Minneapolis is being turned into loft apartments. The developers say re-lighting the sign shows the downtown riverfront is returning to life after decades of neglect. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. audio . . . (construction sfx) A few months ago the North Star blanket factory was uninhabitable. Brighton Develpment company partner Peggy Lucas says the 100 year old building's only permanent residents had wings. audio . . . this ceiling we're looking at now was f
December 8, 1998 - ******for Tuesday, Dec. 8 morning edition.***** A long- disputed proposal to build a 3-storey high metal shredder on the banks of the Mississippi in Minneapolis will go before the the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency today. American Iron and Supply Company wants to build the "Kondirator" at the company's riverside scrapyard in a north Minneapolis neighborhood. The fight over the project dates back to the late 1980's. Now, PCA staff members have recommended approval of the Kondirator, despite vocal opposition by the city of Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
December 8, 1998 - The Kondirator metal shredder proposed for the Mississippi riverbank in Minneapolis took a step forward today. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board voted unanimously to give the project the necessary permits without further environmental studies. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Neighborhood residents are concerned about emmissions, noise, and dust from the shredder. The city of Minneapolis opposes the 3-storey metal shredder and took the issue to court more than two years ago to force the MPCA
December 8, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on how various retailers are adjusting to a warm winter in the region. It’s nightmare weather if you sell snowmobiles or downhill skis for a living…but not bad if you prefer bicycling, or fishing from a boat.
December 11, 1998 - A federal panel has given the go-ahead for a major rebuilding and expansion plan for the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad. The approval by the federal Surface Transportation Board is no surprise---the board rarely denies applicants. But the decision is the first major hurdle cleared by D-M and E since the company announced its 1.4-billion dollar plan last spring. Now, both opponants and supporters say they're looking ahead to the next big decision that scrutinizes the proposal's environmental impacts. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports. In keeping with their agressive opposition to the railroad's proposal, Rochester-area officials organized a press conference barely a half-hour after the Surface Transportation Board announced it's decision. Olmstead County board chairman Paul Wilson says the ruling points out the need to ch
December 14, 1998 - PLAYLIST!!!! United States Satellite Broadcasting, a four-year old company based in Oakdale, announced today it's selling out to a larger rival. Hughes Electronics, which owns DirecT-V, will buy U-S-S-B for an estimated 1-point-3 billion dollars. U-S-S-B provides movies, pay-per-view channels, and programming to DirecT-V subscribers, and is considered a pioneer in the direct broadcast satallite industry. Founder Stanley S-Hubbard -- of the Hubbard family that owns K-S-T-P -- says being part of Hughes will align them with the leader in the field.
December 14, 1998 - *******USE THIS VERSION********* A new film which opened last weekend offers an inside look at the music business and a slice of the Minneapolis music scene. Producer and Director Steven Greenberg, best known for his international mega-hit single "Funkytown," followed several Minneapolis bands for more than three years, documenting the glamour and excitement of their performances and the harsh realities of being a musician. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has this report on "Funkytown" the movie.