February 28, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that state officials released the latest revenue forecast, which for the first time in nine years shows a drop in projected revenues from the previous forecast. Minnesota lawmakers will have about 600-million dollars less than expected for tax cuts and spending increases over the next two years.
March 5, 2001 - Most college graduates these days can zoom, effortlessly, around the internet. They might know high-level mathematics, or they might be competent in genetics. But few of them can say, for sure, which one is the salad fork. Corporate recruiters say rough table manners can take the shine off of an otherwise attractive job candidate. So some colleges now bring in consultants to help students polish their manners before they hit the job market. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin went to the Etiquette Dinner put on by the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and he has this report.
March 5, 2001 - The Minneapolis-based Star Tribune is converting to a narrower format. Starting tomorrow morning, the newspaper will be about five percent smaller. The change follows an industry trend to reduce newsprint costs, which have increased sharply in recent years. Faith Christine is a senior project manager at the Star Tribune. She says the new format won't cut into content.
March 5, 2001 - Lenders are sending out "free" money and tricking people into bad business.
March 6, 2001 -
March 6, 2001 -
March 6, 2001 - Minneapolis is finally moving earth in preparation for light rail transit. But what about Saint Paul's transit future? Instead of laying rails, the capital city is rumbling toward a less expensive system known as a busway to connect the downtown with Bloomington. There are still plenty of questions about what such a busway might look like ... and its construction is not a sure thing. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen visited the Twin Cities' only existing busway at the University of Minnesota and filed this report...
March 7, 2001 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking steps to prevent livestock from becoming infected with foot and mouth disease. Humans can't become infected with the disease, but can carry it on shoes, clothing or in the sinuses... and pass it on to susceptible animals like cows, pigs and sheep. State Veterinarian Tom Hagerty says overseas travelers should stay away from British and European farms and avoid coming into contact with farm animals here after they return:
March 7, 2001 - A new baseball stadium funding bill is being drafted at the State Capitol. This latest plan would have the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis present competing proposals for a new stadium and then a nuetral panel would pick the best plan. This is similar to the model used when Minneapolis beat out Bloomington as the preferred site for the Metrodome. Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson is backing this concept and he joins us now.
March 7, 2001 - Negotiators for Northwest Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association are meeting in Washington DC today in hopes of resolving a four and a half year old contract dispute. A thirty day cooling off period is set to expire this Sunday, opening up the possibility of the second strike in two years at Northwest. Meanwhile Northwest has renewed allegations before a federal judge that the mechanics are illegally disrupting its flight schedule. The union denies the allegations and is marking the resumtion of negotiations by staging informational picket lines. PRESIDENT BUSH has said even if there's no settlement by the MARCH 12 DEADLINE, he'll require the workers to stay on the job for another two months while a solution is sought. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechllik reports from Washington.