January 25, 2001 - MPR’s Annie Feidt reports on The Midwest Food Alliance, a new local organization that is hoping to convince Minnesotans to pay closer attention to the source of their food. The alliance supports and promotes the products of local farmers who practice environmentally sound, sustainable agriculture. The organization hopes consumers will search out its brightly colored stickers on produce and meats, the way some look for the organic label.
January 29, 2001 - The loss of jobs on Minnesota's Iron Range doesn't just affect mining towns, such as Hibbing and Chisholm. In Duluth, the huge ships passing under the aerial bridge are already carrying less iron ore. In fact, last year the port moved more coal than iron ore for the first time since the Great Depression. Last year, ore shipments from the Duluth-Superior port hit their lowest level since the 1980s, when the Iron Range economy took a nose dive and the mines laid off thousands of workers. The mining slump in the '80s hit Duluth hard, too. Businesses closed. People lost jobs. This time, economists are predicting Duluth will withstand the blow somewhat better. But they say the city WILL suffer. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
January 29, 2001 - Across southern Minnesota the preparations for the ice-storm began early... long before the first drops of freezing rain fell. Minnesota Public Radio's Laurel Druley reports the majority of southeastern Minnesota schools closed today. {Rochester public school transportation manager Jeff Cappers says his thoughts were more on the possible state of country back roads this afternoon when he made his decision to close his schools early this morning.
January 30, 2001 - MPR’s Tim Post reports on a winter storm that dumped freezing rain and snow across much of the state. Freezing rain spread a layer of ice in central and southern Minnesota while residents in western Minnesota and the Dakotas received mostly snow; anywhere from a few inches to more than a foot.
January 30, 2001 - The Federal Aviation Administration has revoked the pilots license of a Northwest Airlines pilot for flying under the influence of alcohol. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
January 30, 2001 - Minnesotans headed up North for a little fishing or a weekend at the cabin are used to them - billboards proclaiming great deals, fresh leeches or the best burgers in town. In an area of the state that relies heavily on tourism, billboards are big business . But a group of citizens south of Brainerd want motorists to see only the scenery along a new stretch of road. Their effort has some business boosters worried that thousands of tourists will never know what Brainerd has to offer. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
January 31, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCullum reports on the Minnesota Twins latest effort to find support for a stadium plan at the State Capitol. This time, team officials are taking a go-slow approach, listening to legislators and floating ideas. Some lawmakers are warming to one idea that doesn't involve a direct taxpayer subsidy, but they say funding a new ballpark won't be a top priority during a busy budget session.
February 1, 2001 -
February 1, 2001 - The National Mediation Board adjourned talks between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union on Wednesday, but the Airline Mechanics Fraternal Association made a last ditch contract offer in an effort to avert a possible strike. The board's next step may be to release the mechanics from negotiations. That would set off a 30-day cooling off period before either side could initiate a job action. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
February 2, 2001 - The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is expected to reach capacity in less than two decades. That growing crunch for space prompted the mayors of Minneapolis and Rochester to host an afternoon tour of the Rochester International Airport. The intent - to drum up support for a high speed rail link that would shuffle twin cities air traffic through Rochester. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports: