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. {
December 28, 2001 - INTRO ON TAPE. The three judge panel that heard arguments yesterday left few clues as to which way it will rule. Joining us on the line for some analysis is Hamline Universty Law School professor Joe Daley.
December 31, 2001 - It's December 31st and time is running out for last minute decisions that will impact your tax bill. The end of the calendar-year is a hard-and-fast deadline in making financial moves that will lower your taxes in April. Joining us on the line is Ed Slott of Ed Slott's I-R-A Advisor, and a regular guest for Minnesota Public Radio's Sound Money.
December 31, 2001 - The major stock indexes ended lower today, capping a down year for Wall Street. The Dow finished with a seven percent decline for the year, while the Nasdaq is down 21 percent from where it began last January. As for Minnesota stocks, some outperformed their competitors nationally, while others took quite a beating. U of M Carlson School strategic management professor Alfred Marcus says Minnesota food companies and discount retailers fared the best this year.
January 1, 2002 - Shoppers in Minnesota and across the nation bought slightly more this holiday season than they did last year. Topping their lists were electronics and other home-related products. Analysts say the impulse to buy such goods gained strength after September 11, when many people appeared to feel that staying close to home was a good idea. The trend was good news for Twin Cities based retailers Target and Best Buy. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.