December 7, 2000 -
December 7, 2000 - Minnesota-based Best Buy today announced major expansion plans that will significantly extend its reach into U.S. and Canadian markets. Best Buys plans to purchase Music Land, in a deal valued at nearly 700-million dollars. It also plans to buy Seattle-based Magnolia Hi-Fi for about 90-millions dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
December 8, 2000 - Packing technology workers will produce more productivity.
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.