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 -
January 21, 2002 - 4,700 people would lose their job if the Fingerhut location in Minnesota. Tom Petters, an entrepenuer from Minnesota, is contemplating on buying Fingerhut. A second potential buyer is Peter Liedl.
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...