January 11, 2002 - Republicans say that Governor Ventura's budget is the beginning of a bumpy ride. Most of the money going to nonprofits is from the government and since that money is frozen, nonprofits are going to be hurting for money.
January 11, 2002 - The Ford assembly plant in St. Paul has survived a massive companywide restructuring. The company says it will not slow production at the St. Paul plant (nor will it) or lay off any workers there. The news brought relief to union officials at the plant. But that relief was mitigated by concern for colleagues who lost their jobs, and by concerns over the long-term future of the St. Paul facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.
January 11, 2002 -
January 14, 2002 - Market Report: Chris Farrell talks about Alan Greenspan's speech on Friday and how it was not well-received by Wall Street.
January 14, 2002 - Hundreds of people in Albert Lea are picking up their last unemployment checks. It's been six months since the town's Farmland Foods plant was destroyed by fire and put almost 500 people out of work. The town has waited for months to hear from company officials who are deciding whether or not to rebuild. There's been talk that Farmland would relocate in Iowa or not rebuild at all. MainStreet Radio's Laurel Druley revisits Albert Lea, a city struggling to move on.
January 14, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Gene Merriam, a former DFL state senator, and long-time chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, about the concept of bonding bills.
January 15, 2002 - There's a challenge to Minnesota's first county-wide smoking ban. The Rochester Lodging and Hospitality Association has asked the Olmsted County Attorney to investigate lobbying by anti-smoking advocates. Those against the smoking ban say money from Minnesota's tobacco settlement was inappropriately used for the smoking-ban campaign. Mainstreet Radio's Rob Schmitz has this report. { Rochester resident Bonnie Wolters is sitting at the bar in Victoria's restaurant, smoking a cigarette--a freedom she'll no longer have after January 31st.
January 15, 2002 - R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, used the term "difficult" to describe the next three months. Rybak is trying to get the Minneapolis budget back on track as he begins his term as mayor.
January 15, 2002 -
January 15, 2002 - Just a couple of years ago the bison industry was hot. Demand for breeding stock outpaced supply, and prices skyrocketed. Then, a few months ago, the bison market crashed, leaving ranchers with huge investments and little income. But few producers are giving up. They say the bison industry still has a bright future. Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.