September 25, 2001 - Over 80 senior citizens from Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin are returning home tomorrow (WED) after an eight-day tour to New York City. After the recent terror attacks, Rochester-based Glenn's Motorcoach Tours was unable to immediately refund the $1200 cost of the all-inclusive bus tour which was booked months in advance. So the majority of would-be travelers decided to brave the trip, some because of the investment, but others because of a kind of patriotism. Ronald Kruse is on his way home from New York, and joins us on the line.
September 25, 2001 - In the last ten years, many airports have become full-fledged shopping malls. Businesses have flocked to airports, as airport retailing has proved a prosperous business. But after the terror attacks on the east coast retail sales at airports have plunged and airport retailing has become a somewhat less attractive business proposition. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
September 26, 2001 - Officials with the Metropolitan Airports Commission say they've instituted massive cost cutting because of a more than twenty MILLION dollar budget shortfall. The MAC says revenue from operations at the Minneapolis St. Paul airport is falling because of scaled back flight schedules there and airport officials say compounding problems is Northwest's decision NOT to pay for its operations. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 26, 2001 -
September 26, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports on the looming government workers strike. State agency officials say they have contingency plans in place to compensate for the void a strike could leave.
September 26, 2001 - President Bush will meet with airline workers in Chicago tomorrow, and is expected to reveal his plans for increasing airline security. Bush's proposal will likely include strengthened cockpit doors and sky marshals on board commercial jets. Minnesota's congressional delegation is also weighing in on how to keep our skies safe. Democratic Senator Mark Dayton wants to bring troops from the army national guard and army reserve into all major airports for the next 120 days. Meanwhile, Republican Representative Mark Kennedy sits on the House aviation subcommittee, which will craft a bill next week with its recommendations. Kennedy wants to use state troopers as sky marshals. He says the troopers would be the best way to get marshals on flights soon.
September 26, 2001 - INTRO: A group of cab drivers, who carry passengers to and from the Twin Cities International Airport, is asking the Metropolitan Airports Commission not to charge them a 24 hundred dollar airport use fee. They say their business has dropped significantly since the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Mahammed (Mah-HA-med) Ali (Ah-LEE) says he now averages just $2 dollars an hour, and works 18-to-20 hour days. Ali says the recent downturn in business is affecting a lot of people.
September 26, 2001 - Northwest Airlines has announced it will provide help to about 55-hundred employees who've lost their jobs in the recent round of job reductions. Meanwhile, lawmakers met today to discern the scope of the problems facing airlines based in the state to understand what, if any help, the state can provide. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg joins us with details. LB: Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg is in the studio, Andrew what exactly is Northwest offering its workers?
September 27, 2001 - Talks resume today (Thursday) to try to avert a state employee strike scheduled to begin Monday. Nearly 30-thousand workers are ready to walk off the job over wages and health insurance, unless their two unions and state negotiators can reach an agreement in the next four days. The fallout from the terrorist attacks this month may put extra pressure on both sides to reach a deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports:
September 27, 2001 - It will give thousands of recently laid off workers a relief package that includes severance pay. The move came on a day when the state legislature was considering aid for the state's embattled airline industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.