December 18, 2001 - The welfare caseload had been FALLING steadily since 1994, in part due to a federal welfare reform act that puts a five-year limit on benefits. This past summer, we talked with a series of women who were facing the benefit cutoff, and trying to find work. Shirley Hawkins is the single mother of one child who had recently started her first job. She was working in a temporary position at a packaging company doing everything from creating store displays to stuffing calendars into plastic bags. At that time, I asked her how she felt about her future. Jan Mueller works with welfare recipients at Lifetrack Resources, a social service agency in the Twin Cities that runs a job training program. She's on the line now.
December 19, 2001 - Northwest Airlines announced today it will create dedicated security lines for its best and most frequent fliers. The airline says the additional lanes will help their most loyal customers save time when they get to the airport. The Twin Cities International Airport today also re-opened a security checkpoint that had been closed since the September 11th attacks. Now passengers who park in the blue or red parking ramps can have their bags screened without entering the main terminal. Officials at the airport are scrambling to impliment the first phase of the airline security law President Bush signed last month. Jim Welna, the Director of Public Safety for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, says the airport has already significantly increased the number of security checkpoints:
December 20, 2001 - President Bush's choice to lead the new Transportation Security Administration pledged today to meet every deadline in the law enacted to improve airline safety. John Magaw testified before the Senate Commerce Commitee. If he's confirmed by the Senate, Magaw will serve a five year term as head of the new agency within the Department of Transportation. Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar is the ranking member on the House Transportation Committee. He says he's impressed with what he's heard so far in Magaw's senate testimony:
December 20, 2001 - A plan to boost the U-S economy sponsored by President Bush today died in the Democratic-led U.S. Senate. The Republican-led House passed the measure on a largely party-line vote early this morning. The package, which would cost the federal treasury $90 (b) billion dollars next year--and $214 (b)billion dollars over five years, included tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals. The Senate was pushing for a plan that did more to extend specific types of unemployment benefits to laid off workers. Jaye Rykunyk (racoon-ik) heads the hotel and restaurant workers union in the Twin Cities, which has many laid-off members. She says the house bill wouldn't have done much to help her members:
December 21, 2001 -
December 21, 2001 - The holiday travel season begins today for many people trying to be with friends and family for Christmas. For those taking to the air, increased security at airports, along with the crush of travelers, can be a recipe for delays. Joining us from the Twin Cities airport is Mary Beth Schubert, spokesperson for Northwest Airlines. That's Mary Beth Schubert, a spokesperson for Northwest Airlines.
December 24, 2001 - The Minnesota Vikings have just two games left in what will be remembered as the team's worst season since the infamous Les Steckel era. The Vikings lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 33 to three yesterday at the Metrodome. Wide Receiver Cris Carter, in what could be his last home game for the Vikings, caught seven passes thrown by third string quarterback Spergon Wynn. Wynn replaced Tood Bouman who re-injured his right thumb early in the game. Joining us now is Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
December 24, 2001 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports that wind turbines are becoming a more popular scene in the country because farmers are harvesting the wind for electricity. Steil interviews numerous individuals about this creative use of farmland.
December 26, 2001 - Winona County approved an ordinance today that will limit locations for adult businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Rob Schmitz has this report.
December 26, 2001 - MPR's Mark Zdechlik reports that Governor Jesse Ventura says Minnesotans will likely be more open to major governmental reform with the state facing a projected budget deficit of nearly two billion dollars. Ventura says he'll use his State of the State speech a week from tomorrow as something of a “Government 101” course to help Minnesotans learn how state taxes are spent.