August 15, 2001 -
August 15, 2001 - Farmers are mulling over mixed news this week. They are use to battling the weather. But this year has been more of a struggle then most. Spring was marked by excessive rain, delaying planting for small grain crops like wheat and barley. The past few weeks extreme heat and humidity has hung over the Midwest. The weather is moderating now, but new national projections predict the price for some crops, notably corn and soybeans may rise as a result of the weather. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports.
August 16, 2001 - Despite first impressions, selling products to Canadian consumers is DIFFERENT than selling products to Americans... according to some retail analysts who are looking at Best Buy's acquisition of Future Shop... Canada's biggest consumer electronics store. Analysts generally liked the move which has Best Buy purchasing 88 stores in Canada for about 380-million dollars. But analysts caution that moving into Canada can be more difficult than it first appears. Joining us on the line is Randy Scotland... Vice President of Communications at the Retail Council of Canada in Toronto.
August 16, 2001 -
August 16, 2001 -
August 21, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins are hoping to turn things around tonight when they face Toronto again at the Metrodome. Last night, the Twins lost to the Blue Jays despite a solid performance by pitcher Joe Mays. Minnesota is now 10-and-28 since the All-Star break and trails the Cleveland Indians by four and a half games in the A-L Central. Gordon Wittenmeyer follows the Twins for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He says the team lost its momentum after Christian Guzman injured his throwing arm, just after he returned from the all-star game:
August 21, 2001 - Saint Paul business and political leaders broke ground today (Tues) on a new heat and power plant that will serve the downtown and some adjacent neighborhoods. Waste wood will be the primary fuel at the District Energy plant, which will be the largest of its kind in the country. The plant's neighbors are also applauding design modifications they say will help the facility fit in along a downtown riverfront that is becoming more pedestrian friendly. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
August 21, 2001 -
August 21, 2001 -
August 22, 2001 - Duluth Airplane manufacturer Cirrus Design has been sold to a Mideast-based investment bank. Company officials say the sale of controlling interest gives Cirrus the cash it needs to retire debt, and to ramp up production of it's two popular models of aircraft. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports: (Stockholders approved the sale Tuesday, giving fifty-six percent of Cirrus Design to Crescent Capital, an American subsidiary of the First Islamic bank of Bahrain. Cirrus Design is a privately held aircraft manufacturer, which produces two composite-bodied four passenger airplanes. Each airplane comes equipped with a full parachute, intended to bring the aircraft down safely in an emergency. But Cirrus is a young company that's been suffering growing pains ... struggling to pay off start up debt while investing in production improvements and research and development. The pains were evident in February when Cirrus laid off twenty percent of its work force - One hundred thirty seven employees.