December 12, 2000 - The State Department of Commerce predicts demand for electricity in Minnesota will outstrip supply in five years. Now business leaders and others are urging state regulators to prevent a shortfall ... without permitting big price hikes. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce held a forum today to examine the choices Minnesota faces in deciding how to restructure its power sector. The chamber also brought in officials from other states to relate their triumphs, and failures. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
December 12, 2000 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations says Governor Ventura's new job as an XFL analyst is NOT a conflict of interest. The Governor's office says the decision confirms what Ventura has argued all along, while critics of the Governor's outside earnings say the decision lacks credibility, because it was made by a Ventura appointee.
December 13, 2000 - More natural gas was found, but it won't be accessed until spring. It will provide more business and work. Right now, the fixed amount of natural gas makes the prices very high.
December 13, 2000 - The agency that manages the MetroDome in Minneapolis today (Wednesday) unveiled a detailed renovation plan that it says provides a prudent and cost-effective option for increasing revenues for the Vikings. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says the design builds on the Dome's strengths and looks to keep the Minnesota Vikings---the Dome's primary tenant---beyond the end of their lease in 2011. The proposal, however, got a chilly reception from Vikings executives. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
December 13, 2000 - The Saint Paul city council left most of the city's $44 million reserve fund untouched as it completed work on the 2001 budget today (Wednesday). In doing so, the council rejected mayor Norm Coleman's proposal to refund money to citizens in a one-time buy-down of their heating bills this winter. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
December 14, 2000 - Next winter's natural gas costs might be lower. But until then, analysts predict, homeowners and businesses will be hammered with high natural gas bills. The result for homeowners is already being seen in monthly bills more than fifty percent higher than last year's costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
December 14, 2000 - All PC companies are facing problems with sales. It is a good time for buyers, bad time for makers. A civil liberties coalition is fighting the framework for fighting computer crime, saying it would take away individual privacy rights.
December 15, 2000 - The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Office says the state's economy should continue to grow, but not as fast as it did in the last year. The Fed's Forecast for 2001 predicts the economy will create more jobs and higher income levels, but says overall growth will fall well short of previous years'. But others say the Fed's predictions are too optimistic, and consumers and investors should be prepared for a downturn and maybe a recession. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
December 15, 2000 - UNemployment remains low across Minnesota, despite a slowing economy. In Northeast Minnesota's Arrowhead, the jobless rate hovers around 3-percent; but new data shows that many of those with jobs are either working below their abilities, or making less money than they could elsewhere. Economic development officials hope to convince new employers the region's under-employment represents a hidden work force that's ready to be tapped. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
December 15, 2000 -