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.
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.