October 18, 2001 - Vermont health officials are studying a white, powdery substance that appeared on a Northwest Airlink flight Monday night. Preliminary tests show no evidence of anthrax, but the Vermont health department has recommended passengers and others connected with flight 5908 from Detroit to Burlington, get antibiotic treatment. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: PLEASE BACKANNOUNCE: Vermont Public Radio contributed to this report.
October 22, 2001 -
October 22, 2001 - The Minnesota Vikings surprised just about everyone with the way they dominated the Green Bay Packers 35 to 13 yesterday at the Metrodome. The Vikings came into the game struggling with a two and three record while the Packers were four and one and playing well. But tough defense by Minnesota, combined with an improved running game helped the Vikings upset the Packers. Sean Jensen covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and he joins us now.
October 23, 2001 - The Federal Trade Commission could rule as early as today on whether to allow General Mills to buy Pillsbury for 10.5 billion dollars. Approval would end a review process that has lasted much longer than either company originally expected. The merger would place General Mills among the top five food manufacturers in the world and anti-trust concerns have slowed the approval process. University of Minnesota Economics Professor Jean Kinsey joins us on the line.
October 25, 2001 - Northwest Airlines announced it made a small profit during the third quarter of the year. The period includes the month of September, when the government shut down air travel for four days following the terrorist attacks. Passenger numbers plunged even when the skies reopened. The only reason Northwest ended up in the black for the months of July, August and September was nearly a quarter of a BILLION dollars in emergency government assistance. The aid was its share of the congressional airline industry bailout package. Northwest's third quarter turned out considerably better than Wall Street had anticipated.
October 26, 2001 - Minnesota's dairy industry is losing ground to other states. Some farmers worry the decline is permanent. Today a Minnesota company will announce plans for a new cheese plant in South Dakota. Some farmers say the move is another blow to Minnesota's dairy farmers. They're upset with government red tape and citizen opposition that slows or stops construction of many large dairy operations. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
October 30, 2001 - Rochester's four-year fight with the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad is about to come to a head. Sometime this fall the federal Surface Transportation Board releases its final ruling on the DME's 1-point-4 billion-dollar expansion plan. All indications suggest the rail project will get the go ahead. New track will be laid to haul coal from Wyoming through South Dakota and Minnesota. DME rail lines currently run through Rochester. But city officials insist if the expansion's approved trains should be rerouted around downtown, through farmland and countryside. It's a controversial and expensive proposition. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this Mainstreet report.
October 30, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that the chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee is calling on state agencies to get tougher with the state's health care providers. The committee held a hearing on Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health Systems.
October 31, 2001 - Federal officials detained two Northwest airlines flights from Japan when they arrived on the west coast today, one in Seattle, the other in San Francisco. Two men on the Seattle flight were taken off the plane for questioning. Northwest officials say their baggage was cleared and eventually the planes were returned to service. Associated Press reports quote a San Francisco airport spokesman saying federal officials were concerned someone MAY HAVE BEEN carrying anthrax on the aircraft. FBI officials would only say they'd received some public safety information which was of concern. Northwest Spokeswoman Kathy Peach says airline officials are not aware of any anthrax concerns.
October 31, 2001 - Opponents are lining up to fight Echo Star Communication's planned $25 billion acquisition of Hughes Electronics. It would combine the satellite/dish television companies.