October 8, 2001 - Central Minnesota supporters of the proposed Northstar Commuter rail line fear funding changes will radically curtail the project. Officials with MnDOT say they are approaching the federal government differently for money to pay for the project, but their plan is still to provide commuter rail service from downtown Minneapolis to the St. Cloud area. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post has this report.
October 9, 2001 - Some of the smallest local governments in Minnesota, the townships, are getting ready for major changes in the state's tax structure. Many are still trying to work out how the reforms will affect taxpayers. Last summer's special legislative session resulted in a shift in philosophy. The state will now pick up nearly 80 percent in public school costs. But for some cities and townships, the reforms mean the loss of millions of dollars in state aid. As Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports, those small governments will have to raise property taxes to maintain services. {
October 10, 2001 - A new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis runs counter to the economic pain many analysts are predicting from the terror attacks last month. A majority of the survey respondents indicate the attacks will have little or no effect on their firms' prospects, which were already eroding in a slowing economy. But other economic experts say the results indicate people are still assessing the effect of the attacks. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
October 10, 2001 - Windows XP will hit retail shelves in two weeks. There are many positive things to say about the operating system.
October 10, 2001 - Hundreds of striking state employees rallied at the state Capitol this morning (WEDNESDAY), one day before contract talks resume between the state and its two largest employee unions. Neither side is publicly showing any sign of movement - striking workers say they'll walk the picket line as long as it takes to get a better contract, while Governor Ventura says the state is standing by its final offer. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 11, 2001 - State officials and leaders of the state's two largest employee unions returned to the bargaining table this afternoon. So far there have been no face-to-face meetings, but union members say they're cautiously optimistic they can make progress. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo joins us from the hotel in Arden Hills where the talks are taking place. QQQ: Michael, what do we know from the first few hours? -moving slowly -mediator moving back and forth -no new proposals ****MAPE's Deb Schadegg says they'll be here as long as necessary:
October 11, 2001 - As talks resume today (thurs) to try to end the state workers strike, the impact of the walkout is evident. For instance, crime evidence doesn't get analyzed, and health officials can't fully investigate an e-coli outbreak. Minnesota Public Radio's Patty Marsicano reports:
October 11, 2001 - The economic ripple effect from last month's terror attacks continues to spread through the Minnesota economy, as airlines and the companies that rely on them lay off more people. Meanwhile, food shelves and other social service providers in the Twin Cities are struggling to keep up with rising demand and what they call a significant dropoff in donations. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
October 11, 2001 - Research firm Jupiter Media Metrics says its new survey of internet managers are not taking computer security threats seriously enough.
October 12, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that Minnesota Twins manager Tom Kelly says he's stepping down after 15 full seasons. Under Kelly's tenure, the Twins won two World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. This year, the Twins finished second in the American League Central, snapping an eight year run of losing seasons.