January 18, 2002 - Microsoft is predicting that personal computer sales are going to sink even more in this year's first quarter. Sales will be in the dump until at least June.
January 18, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio’s Laurel Druley reports that city and county leaders throughout the state have been complaining about Governor Ventura's budget deficit plan for about a week. Many worry the proposal cuts too much state aid to local governments. Some state nursing home workers may be without jobs and the governor's plan cuts money that would go to rural road expansion and repairs.
January 18, 2002 -
January 18, 2002 - A Grand Rapids company thinks it has an answer to a predicted power shortage in Minnesota and nearby states. Rapids Energy is planning a new electrical generating plant that would burn wood waste and coal in a relatively efficient, low emission process. Cost efficiencies would come from sharing heat and electrical power with Grand Rapid's Blandin Paper plant. But it's not without concerns, coming from both area residents and regional environmental groups. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports:
January 18, 2002 - The nut of the problem is when they bought Green Tree, which turned into Conseco Financial, and that brought on billions of dollars of debt.
January 18, 2002 - US Airlines today began intensive screening of checked baggage to prevent bombs from threatening flights. The new regulations allow airlines several options to better secure baggage, from bomb sniffing dogs, to carefully matching luggage with passengers. While some predicted the new policy would lead to delays, operations ran smoothly today at the Minneapolis St. Paul airport where travelers welcomed the new security measures. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 18, 2002 - The workers laid off this week from Fingerhut and 3-M may not get much help from the state when it comes to retraining and help finding a new job. Paul Moe is the head of the Dislocated Worker program. He says the program is underfunded and running out of money:
January 18, 2002 - 3M reported its fourth-quarter and year-end earnings today amid announcements of plant closings and job cuts. The company's profits dropped, but analysts say the fall off was reasonable considering global economic weakness. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
January 18, 2002 - Airlines are using new baggage screening techniques at the nation's airports starting today. A new law requires airlines to check bags for explosives or to make sure that each bag on a plane is matched to a passenger on that plane. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik is at the Twin Cities International Airport this morning to see how things are moving along and he joins us now.
January 21, 2002 -