December 22, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports on the people behind the balsam boughs in Minnesota.
December 22, 1998 - In the next couple of months farmers around the region will be asking bankers for money to plant next years crop. Nationally, the Farm Credit System reports more than one billion dollars in bad farm loans this year. In Northwestern Minnesota, some experts say 60 percent of farmers may not qualify for financing next year. That's causing sleepless nights for farmers and lenders. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson talked to one lender on the front line.
December 22, 1998 - For the past two days, a Worthington grocery store has sold pork for 30 cents a pound to protest the low prices paid to pork farmers. That's about a dollar cheaper per pound than usual. Hog producers are weathering the lowest prices in decades because there is a huge oversupply of pork on the market. Manager of the County Market in Worthington, Scott Anderson, says consumer demand for pork HAS remained high ... but even he was surprised at how many people were willing to brave the cold temperatures to buy drastically reduced pork. Scott Anderson is Manager of the County Market in Worthington. He says the grocery store basically broke even on the pork sale.
December 23, 1998 - In these days of plastic, tinsel and even aluminum christmas trees, many people prefer the smell of a REAL tree. An increasing number of Americans are returning to the tradition of cutting their own Christmas tree... But as Minnesota Public Radio's Hope Deutscher reports this surge in sales comes as many Christmas tree growers are getting out of the business... Driving down the lane through Sherman Mandt's 60-acre tree farm near Perham, Minnesota...Durk and Bobbie Currier and their three children are trying to pick the perfect Christmas tree. Bobbi Currier explains the difficulty:
December 23, 1998 - Some of the region's top economists say the economy is showing several signs of a slow down moving into next year. And some economists say there is a possibility of a recession in the second half of 1999. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports... --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM:5884 | TIME: 404s | OUTCUE: soc --------------------------------------------------------- Wells Fargo Bank Chief Economist Sung Won Sohn says weak international markets from Asia to Latin American coupled with softening consumer demand in the United States will slow the US and Minnesota economies next year. Sohn is predicting fewer jobs will be created in Minnesot
December 23, 1998 - The U.S. was once a nation of farmers. But now, we're a country full of people who's families once farmed...so the story of foreclosure, bankruptcy and the letting go of a lifestyle is not uncommon. One South Dakota family experienced all of that a decade ago. Their story is still an open wound filled with anger, defeat, revenge and hope. Mainstreet Radios Cara Hetland reports: Bill was born and raised on a farm in southeastern South Dakota. For 19 years, his live was measured by the weather and the sky as he worked the soil raising corn, soybeans and lifestock. Today it doesn't matter how much rain falls or how dry the land is as Bill goes to work in Sioux Falls..
December 23, 1998 - It's a word that makes many lawmakers cringe, but talk of stadiums will be back before the legislature in 1999 session. A task force appointed by Governor Carlson is asking lawmakers to create a new commission to fund sports stadiums and arts venues. Legislative leaders and the Governor-elect are skeptical.
December 24, 1998 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports on efforts of the Minnesota Twins executives to “break even” by cutting payroll. That helps explain why the Twins let go of several of their best-paid players, but it’s not clear where this short-term strategy will lead them.
December 24, 1998 - FADE IN CROWD SFX # 6122 (AUDIO IS HOT!) More than 2 thousand people waited for hours in long lines to pick up Christmas toys and clothes at Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis. The doors opened at 8, but some had been waiting outside since the wee hours of the morning. There were as many as 100 thousand toys on hand, including dolls, basketballs, skateboards and street-hockey sticks. Volunteers picked out gifts, based on a child's age and gender, and handed them over in black plastic bags. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin prepared this snapshot of a charitable program that organizers say keeps getting bigger every year. --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 6120 | TIME: 2:19 plus :05 sfx (fades) | OUTCUE: "... thank you." ---------------------------------------------------------
December 24, 1998 - FOR THURSDAY MORNING Residents of Austin, Minnesota celebrated Christmas this week in their downtown Paramount Theatre. The old movie house is in the midst of a two million dollar renovation and city leaders hope just as it will provide a venue for performing arts it will also provide an economic boost for downtown. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe has this Mainstreet report. Kids singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town The Paramount theater was filled with beaming parents, grandparents and other assorted Austin residents as a group of chil