March 13, 2001 - Despite exploding consumer demand, the state's Department of Agriculture plans to slash funding to organic and sustainable programs under a budget proposal currently awaiting legislative approval. Under the 2002-2003 budget, money will be redirected to new initiatives designed to attract a broader range of farmers. The state's agriculture commissioner says his department needs to invest money in more market friendly programs, despite numbers from the Organic Trade Association indicating US sales of organic produce has jumped more than 122-percent since 1996. Mainstreet's Erin Galbally reports the first of two stories on the state's shifting marketing philosophy when it comes to agriculture.
March 13, 2001 - Minnesota could become the first state in the country to subsidize parental leave. A bill introduced yesterday in the Senate outlines a plan that allows employers to volunteer to pay 1/3 of a new parent's wages, with the state and the employee picking up the remaining two thirds. Current law requires employers to offer unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks. St. Paul Senator Ellen Anderson is the author of the bill. She says the plan benefits employees AND employers:
March 14, 2001 -
March 14, 2001 - It was another rough day on Wall Street... the Dow dropped more than 300 points, slipping below the ten-thousand level for the first time since October. An increase in profit warnings from big companies is one reason the market is down. Northwest Airlines, for example, announced today it expects to lose up to 150 (M)million dollars in the quarter ending March 31st. But the local impact of the gloom on Wall Street reaches far beyond poor earnings for one company. Economist Sung Won Sohn says Minnesota's economy is still relatively strong. But bad news on Wall Street can serve as a warning of tough times ahead:
March 14, 2001 -
March 14, 2001 - The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission begins its listening tour of outstate Minnesota today. (WEDNESDAY) The first of six open houses to take public input on stadium options for the Twins, Vikings and University of Minnesota Gophers is being in held Moorhead this evening. Commission Members began the day by meeting two dozen community leaders to discuss options. Minnesota Public Radios Bob Reha reports .... {The statewide listening sessions were requested by Governor Jesse Ventura. Business people, Community leaders and elected officials spent two hours sharing their views on a variety of issues including public funding of new venues for Minnestoa's pro-teams and the value the franchises have for out state Minnesota. Concordia College president Tom Thompson pushed the positives of big time sports
March 15, 2001 - Eric Schwartz wrote a rap about Napster and its positives.
March 16, 2001 - Baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy comments on the positive potential of the Minnesota Twins with the continued signing of strong young players, such as Brad Radke, LaTroy Hawkins, Cristian Guzman, and Corey Koskie. It is a change from the rock-bottom salary strategy for players that team had done in prior years.
March 19, 2001 -
March 19, 2001 - Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union make their cases for a contract settlement before a three member Presidential Emergency Board this week. Four days of board hearings convene this afternoon in a Philadelphia hotel. In less than a month the PEB will present President Bush with a settlement proposal that COULD end the four and a half year old dispute. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...