January 22, 2002 - The mayor of St. Cloud will meet with state legislators later today to see what the state can do to save Fingerhut. The parent company of Fingerhut -- Federate Department Stores -- said last week that it plans to shut Fingerhut down if a new buyer isn't found. Two businessmen have emerged saying they're thinking about bidding for the struggling catalogue retailer. St. Cloud has 2700 Fingerhut jobs. Joe Opatz (OH-pats) is a DFL member of the Committee who represents part of St. Cloud. He says there are a number of things the state can do to help Fingerhut.
January 22, 2002 - BENSON: The state Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court's temporary injunction forcing the Minnesota Twins to play at the Metrodome this year. The Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission sought and was granted the injunction shortly after baseball owners voted to eliminate two teams. The Twins are widely considered a top candidate for contraction. The commission is praising the decision, but attorneys for the team and the league say the fight isn't over yet. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo joins us now. Michael, what's the significance of today's ruling? KHOO: Lorna, in a nutshell it means the Twins -- as things stand now -- will have to play the 2002 season in the Metrodome. It lets the temporary injunction stand which effectively prevents the team and the league from eliminating the ballclub. Bill Lester is the executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission -- which owns and operates the 'Dome. Lester says the Appeals Court ruling makes it unlikely that the league can move forward with contraction this year.
January 23, 2002 - The St. Paul Companies today (Weds) reported a fourth quarter net loss of 736 million dollars, pushing losses for all of 2001 beyond a billion dollars. The nation's fifth largest business insurer says it has higher hopes for the new year. A new CEO brought in as part of a major restructing says he's trying to make The St. Paul leaner and more focused on profit. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 28, 2002 - When Minnesota lawmakers return to the Capitol tomorrow (TUESDAY) for the 2002 session, one of their top agenda items will be assembling a package of public works projects. Governor Ventura is recommending 845-million dollars in projects, and some legislators want to borrow even more. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Laura McCallum analyzed the last twenty years of major capital investment bills to find out where the state has spent most of its money, and has this report...
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January 30, 2002 - Today (WEDNESDAY) a federal board gave a green light to the most ambitious railroad project since the Civil War. The Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad now has official endorsement to proceed with its 1.4 billion-dollar expansion plan. DM&E intends to haul coal from Wyoming through South Dakota and Minnesota. However, before construction even begins, the project's next hurtle is expected to be in the courtroom. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
January 31, 2002 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik takes a look at the background of Donald Watkins, the Alabama businessman who says he wants to buy the Minnesota Twins.
January 31, 2002 - Saint Paul city officials today (Thurs) took the first steps in a journey that could lead to a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins. Legislation introduced at the capitol would authorize the city to impose a tax on bars and restaurants and a surcharge on tickets to ballpark events. City officials say money from those taxes plus parking revenue would cover half the cost of a baseball stadium, with private money paying the other half. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen has more...
February 1, 2002 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports on The Minnesota Twins, who are preparing for their 42nd season…knowing that it could be their last. Major League Baseball executives say they're proceeding with plans to dissolve two teams, including the Twins, but it's not clear if and when it might actually happen.
February 4, 2002 - The Minnesota Supreme Court has all but ended major league baseball's plans to eliminate two teams before this season. The court today refused to consider an appeal of an injunction that forces the Minnesota Twins to fulfill their Metrodome lease this year. The high court's action means an injunction issued by a Hennepin County judge in November will stand - barring intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is unlikely. Twins president Jerry Bell says a cheer went up among Twins employees who can now look forward to the season. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham that it looks very likely that the league can't proceed with contraction.