December 26, 2001 - Shoppers crowded malls today to exchange gifts or look for bargains. The main parking lot at Rosedale Shopping Center was full by 10 o'clock this morning. Retailers are counting on a post Christmas rush to make up for disappointing holiday shopping figures. Steven Roorda (ROAR-dah) is a Senior Equity Analyst with American Express Financial Advisors in Minneapolis. He says overall sales this season are off about four percent from last year:
December 26, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Lavelle Neal, who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune about the status of the Minnesota Twins as 2001 closes. The team being sold, potential Major League Baseball contraction, and a looming player contract dispute are all threats to organization.
December 27, 2001 - The Minnesota Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments this morning on whether the Minnesota Twins should be required to play another season in the metrodome. The Twins will ask the court to reverse a ruling by District Court Judge Harry Crump that orders the team to honor to their one-year Metrodome lease, and play in the facility next year. Meanwhile, Minnesota Twins players remain in limbo. Denny Hocking is the Twins player representative. He says contraction isn't his only concern right now.
December 27, 2001 -
December 27, 2001 - FOR USE THURS 12/27 ME The University of Minnesota Extension Service plans almost five million dollars of budget cuts over the next three years. Money from state and federal sources did not increase enough this year to support the current organization, and officials expect to phase out dozens of jobs around the state. The current financial reserves of the service have dwindled to less than one month's operating expenses. In the midst of forced belt-tightening it's a surprise to hear Extension officials using words like "excited" and "optimistic." But they say they're using the budget crunch to streamline and update the service, making some of the biggest changes in decades. Details from Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich.
December 27, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on possible impact of Minnesota Twins leaving the state. Most experts say only a new stadium will prevent the loss of the team. Observers say if Major League Baseball moves ahead with its contraction plans and cuts the Twins before next season, the Twin Cities reputation as a major league city sports location would be in jeopardy. However, economists say the fallout from the loss of the team would be more psychological than economic.
December 28, 2001 - Longtime state senator Sam Solon died this afternoon in Duluth. Solon was known as a champion for Northeastern Minnesota. He had been battling liver cancer for nearly a year. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
December 28, 2001 - INTRO ON TAPE. The Minnesota Department of Finance is ending its freeze on state grants to non-profits. Officials announced the decision yesterday. In late November, the Finance Department asked state agencies to stop giving new grant money until it determined the extent of the budget shortfall. The move raised concerns about how some non-profits would continue their work serving the public. Marcia Avner is the Public Policy Director for the Minnesota Council on Non-profits. She's on the line now.
December 28, 2001 - The latest batch of economic data shows a big rebound in consumer confidence AND a surge in new home sales. The jump in consumer confidence surprised analysts who were expecting a slight dip. The index is closely watched because consumer confidence drives consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the nation's economic activity. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department says new-home sales rose 6.4 percent in November. That's the largest increase in almost a year. Economist Louis Johnston with the College of St. Benedict and St. Johns University says a surprising number of homeowners are taking advantage of the Federal Reserve's 11th interest rate cut.
December 28, 2001 - The largest, and longest running study of hunger in America shows last year nearly half of the people using food-shelves were working, many at full time jobs. As Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports, with the economy in recession, Second Harvest officials are braced for an unprecedented need for emergency food. {