January 4, 2000 - Northwest Airlines today filed a federal lawsuit accusing its flight attendants of engaging in an illegal sick out. Northwest says it's been forced to cancel hundreds of flights over the past week because of crew shortages. It's asking a judge to immediately call an end to the alleged sick out. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 4, 2000 - An attorney for a former employee at the Koch refinery in Rosemount portrayed him as a good worker who was fired because he reported serious environmental violations by the company. Charles Chadwell is suing Koch Petroleum Group under a state law that protects whistleblowers from retailiation.The case went before a 10 person civil jury yesterday in Minneapolis. An attorney for Koch told the jury Chadwell was fired for "legitimate and lawful reasons." Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Charles Chadwell is a former waste water treatment operator at the Koch refinery in Rosemount. He was fired in 1997, eight months after he reported environmental violations to the Minnesota
January 5, 2000 - A federal judge in St Paul this morning (8:15AM CST) will consider issuing a temporary restraining order barring Northwest Airlines flight attendants from illegal job actions. Northwest filed a lawsuit against the Teamsters union yesterday alleging its flight attendants are engaged in an illegal sick out that's driving away customers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
January 5, 2000 - A federal judge in St. Paul today granted Northwest Airline's request for a Temporary Restraining Order barring its flight attendants from illegal job actions. MInnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
January 5, 2000 - Travelers could have a few more options for airline travel in the coming months. The Metropolitan Airports Commission is close to approving a plan that will free up seven gates for new carriers at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The MAC has been under pressure to make it easier for Northwest's competitors to gain a foothold in the market. Jeff Hamiel is the executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 6511 | TIME: 3:53 | OUTCUE: "...gates at MSP." --------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Hamiel is the executive director of the Metropolitan airports commission. The full Metropolitan Commission will vote on the
January 6, 2000 - An East coast man with a history of unrealized stadium plans around the country has unveiled another...this time for the Minnesota Twins and the Vikings. Socrates Babacas (BAB-buh-cus) says he has a plan to build a three hundred and fifty million dollar retractable roof stadium in the northern Twin Cities suburb of Lino Lakes. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports. Before revealing ANY details of his stadium plans, Massachusetts businesman Socrates Babacas enlisted the services of a cleri
January 6, 2000 - Low grain prices, volatile foreign markets and more are making life difficult for farmers these days. The time is long gone when they could simply concentrate on raising a bumper crop. So some producers are banding together in an effort to create leverage in the marketplace. Their efforts are part of a broader campaign in farm country to find new markets for their products. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports. A crew of three is on duty at the Pet Care Systems plant just north of Detroit Lakes.. (sfx of plant rolls up here and fades under......) When operating at peak production 30 workers are manning the large clanking machines that load and seal pet litter into bags, The bags then get rolled onto wooden pallets where they're sealed in plastic, and made ready for shipment. Pet Care's product is kitty litter with a dif
January 7, 2000 - The Guthrie Theatre is focusing its two-year-long search for a new theatre site on Minneapolis' downtown riverfront. A Guthrie representative met with city officials late Thursday who say the Theatre is interested in land next to where the Minnesota Historical Society's Mill Ruins Park project is taking shape. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. Minneapolis mayor Sharon Sayles Belton says her meeting Thursday afternoon with a Guthrie representative convinces her the Theatre is now interested in the riverfront location. The site is three blocks north of the Metrodome, on the Mississippi riverfront, near where the historic Stone Arch bridge curves across St. Anthony Falls. Sayles Belton says Guthrie officials will talk over their options at a Monday board meeting. audio . . . that's the one they want to try advance to their
January 7, 2000 - Minnesota House Republicans are proposing a Privacy Bill of Rights for Minnesotans. Republicans want to stop state government agencies from selling mailing lists, and force telemarketers to register with the state. The proposal drew criticism from DFL state attorney general Mike Hatch. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports. Republican house majority leader Tim Pawlenty says the electronic exchange of personal data can be frightening.
February 24, 2000 - Sam Grabarski, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council; and Steve Cramer, executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency discuss downtown Minneapolis and what to do with "Block E."