December 8, 2000 - The University of Minnesota football program and the Minnesota Vikings are considering working together to build a new stadium. Minnesota Public Radio sports commentator Jay Weiner believes that's a bad idea... unless the Gophers can get something really big in exchange from Red McCombs.
December 8, 2000 - General Mills shareholders overwhelmingly approved the company's plans to buy Pillsbury from London-based Diageo (dee-AHZH-ee-oh). Combining the two oldline Minneapolis firms will produce the nation's third largest food company, with combined revenues of roughly 13 billion dollars. While most analysts think the merger makes sense, some are still worried General Mills is making a risky bet. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
December 8, 2000 -
December 8, 2000 - Environmental groups are calling on Congress to reform the Army Corps of Engineers in the wake of a Pentagon report confirming the Corps doctored numbers in a feasibility study of expanded locks on the Mississippi River. Critics say the Corps of Engineers is too quick to back massive engineering projects. But farm groups say they NEED bigger locks on the Mississippi to reduce their shipping costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. For more information about the controversy over expansion of locks and dams on the Mississippi go to minnesotapublicradio.org to see our series called "Changing Course: The Future of the Mississippi." {
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.