May 15, 2001 - The farmers had to start planting late because of flooded fields from melted snow and preciptation. It's not a bad thing because this is prime spouting time.
May 15, 2001 - State officials stated a 77% unemployment insurance in the last month. The jump in unemployment was expected, but the magnititude was not.
May 18, 2001 - Farmers across Minnesota are scrambling to get seeds in the ground. Wet weather narrowed their window of opportunity for planting. Some farmers are still waiting for fields to dry. While soybean farmers have a few more days, corn growers are a week late as corn needs more time to grow. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley shadowed farmer Kevin Paap on a recent busy planting day.
May 18, 2001 -
May 21, 2001 - When General Mills said last June it would take over crosstown rival Pillsbury, most analysts called it a match made in heaven. The ten-point-five billion dollar deal would give General Mills the bulk it needed to compete in a global marketplace -- AND return Pillsbury to local control. Company officials initially expected to complete the merger by year-end. Now General Mills says it may not close until this July. Analysts say federal regulators are concerned the combination could threaten competition in the food industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
May 22, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins open a two-game set against the Seattle Mariners at the Metrodome tonight. The series pits the Twins against the only team in the majors with a better record than Minnesota. The Twins lead the American League Central division by a half game over the Cleveland Indians. Their best pitcher, Brad Radke, will try for his eighth victory of the year tonight. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Star Tribune. He's on the line now.
May 25, 2001 - INTRO: A federal judge has handed Minnesota's light-rail line, that will run through Minneapolis, a victory over Excel Energy. The energy company had sued to keep from having to pay to move their utility lines which is estimated to cost abou 18 million dollars. U-S District Judge John Tunheim ordered the cmpany to relocate their lines downtown. Excel said they had an agreement in place with the city that called for advance payment for relocations as a result of state projects like light-rail. Joining us on the line is Elwyn Tinklenberg, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. -- What did the ruling say ? -- What was the law that he ruled under? -- Why should the utility have to move the lines? -- Who will end up paying for it? Why should the utility pay? -- Do you expect an appeal? -- Will the costs just be passed on to consumers? -- What ramificatyions are there for the phone company Qwest?
May 25, 2001 - The Metropolitan Airports Commission and Northwest Airlines have reached a tentative agreement on some key issues affecting the airline's future in the Twin Cities. After ninety days of discussions, the MAC agreed to extend its largest tenant's lease for another fourteen years. The airport will also provide most of the new gates the airline sought in the expanded main terminal. MAC executive director Jeff Hamiel says one which they continue to disagree is how to pay for a noise reduction program.
June 5, 2001 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on the “Gay Index.” The vigorous debate over Minnesota's economic future in a high tech world has featured a variety of prescriptions for prosperity -- like using tax dollars to invest in Minnesota start-ups, and more state spending on high tech research. Now, some controversial new research from Carnegie-Mellon University suggests cities that want to promote high tech industry should make themselves attractive to gay men.
June 5, 2001 - (to follow William's Mauer profile) Some baseball observers had thought the Twins would go with U-S-C pitcher Mark Prior instead of Joe Mauer. But analyst Kevin Hennessy says the Twins were probably trying to improve their chances by choosing a local boy.