November 21, 2000 - Northwest Airlines says it cancelled forty-eight flights today and delayed another one hundred and fifty because of maintenance related problems. The airline is accusing mechanics of engaging in an illegal work slowdown to protest stalled contract negotiations. Last night a judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the workers from disrupting air services. Northwest says it's dispatching extra employees to several airports to help passengers cope with schedule problems during the busiest travel time of the year. If the airline can convince a federal judge there is INDEED a slow down despite the order banning any job action, the union could face a contempt ruling and a fine. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
November 21, 2000 - After months of consideration, a committee looking into alternatives for a privately financed Minnesota Twins ballpark has come up with a funding proposal. While the group, called New Ballpark Inc., says Twins owner Carl Pohlad has to contribute heavily to a new stadium, members of the committee say developers and investment groups could conceivably come up with 140 million dollars to build the park. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
November 22, 2000 - Northwest Airlines told a federal judge in Minneapolis this afternoon the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is defying a court order banning work slow downs. Northwest says siginificantly higher than normal maintenance related delays continue to force it to delay and cancel numerous flights. Leaders of the mechanics union say the rank and file is adhereing fully to labor laws and the court order. A federal judge has set a hearing for next week to determine whether the union is violating the court order. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
November 22, 2000 - MPR's Amy Radil reports on financial struggles within the Independence Party of Minnesota. A campaign season that brought the Independence Party many candidates but no winners has also left the organization broke. Party officials say a combination of legal expenses, website maintenance costs and campaign costs have the party facing a deficit of about $20,000. Party leaders call the debt "miniscule" and say it's the price they pay for not accepting special interest money.
November 23, 2000 -
November 23, 2000 - Barge shipping on the Mississippi River is winding down for the season. Typically 400 or so towboats ply the upper Mississippi River moving barges loaded with grain and other products headed to markets around the world. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano spent some time aboard a towboat earlier this fall and found, there's no such thing as "stopping for the night."
November 24, 2000 - Record Cold Days Preceding Thanksgiving Earlier this week, a cold Canadian high pressure system brought record cold to our region. Earlier this week, a cold Canadian high pressure system brought record cold to our region. Sioux Falls, SD reported a new record cold maximum temperature of only 13 degrees F on Monday, November 20th. Cambridge and St Cloud Minnesota reported new record lows for Tuesday, November 21st with -6 and -3 degrees F, respectively. Orr, MN reported a record low of -6 degrees F on Wednesday, November 22 this was also the lowest temperature in the lower 48 states on Wednesday and Red Wing reported a record low of 5 degrees F on the same morning. Most of these records were associated with new snow cover established last week. Thankfully, a strong warming trend will return temperatures to the 30s and 40s F for the Thanksgiving Holiday period.
November 24, 2000 - Should people buy the new Pentium computer just because it is new? That is what Dell is hoping for.
November 24, 2000 - At a time where farmers are being urged to diversify their income one Minnesota dairy farmer is doing just that by making celebrities of his cows. David Lill recently published a book of whimsical photos featuring his cows in human poses, and there are plans for a calendar, t-shirts, coffee mugs and posters. Minnesota Public Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
November 24, 2000 - How big is your holiday gift budget? A retail industry group expects consumers to spend about 6 percent more than last year. But the US economy and retail sales are slowing. So ... will retailers' bottom line be candy cane red? As Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports, the trends may favor shoppers over shareholders this holiday season.