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.
October 31, 2001 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on the status of retail environment after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Despite depressed markets in some areas, Halloween sales and interest are strong.
November 5, 2001 - Voters in Saint Paul will choose a new Mayor tomorrow (Tues). With Norm Coleman not seeking a third term, the race to succeed him has been a hard fought contest between Randy Kelly and Jay Benanav. The candidates met at the Fitzgerald Theatre downtown yesterday (Sun) for one of the final debates of the campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
November 5, 2001 - Northwest Airlines is reducing prices on leisure and business tickets by as much as 50 percent. The airline calls the sale part of a broader initiative to make buying discount tickets easier. Analysts say lower prices AND less confusion will make more people want to fly. The sale seems well-timed. Northwest said today its domestic flights in October were 70 percent full. That number is about the same as a year ago. But Northwest cut its flights by 20 percent after the terrorist attacks -- so the number of passengers has actually dropped substantially. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
November 5, 2001 -
November 5, 2001 - The fate of the Minnesota Twins remains uncertain as Major League Baseball's owners prepare to meet tomorrow in Chicago. The team owners could vote to buy out Twins owner Carl Pohlad and dissolve the franchise. Allen Sanderson is a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Chicago. He says the Twin Cities has a sizable population with a reasonable amount of disposable income -- two qualities that make it a good baseball market. But he says the Metrodome is not a place where most fans want to spend and afternoon or evening, especially when they could go to a new arena to see the Minnesota Wild or watch the Vikings and Timberwolves.
November 6, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that while Major League Baseball owners are meeting in Chicago and may be considering folding the Twins along with the Montreal Expos, some in the Twin Cities are promising a fight. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission says the team has a binding agreement to play at the Metrodome next season. Governor Ventura says he'd support gambling revenues to pay for a new stadium.
November 6, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Jesse Ventura’s stance against public funding on a new stadium for Minnesota Twins. His view and actions have drawn criticism from some voters and fellow politicians.