March 15, 2002 -
March 15, 2002 - THE LATE WINTER STORM IS SLOWING TRAFFIC THIS MORNING....BOTH ON THE ROAD...AND IN THE AIR. THE AIRPORT, FROM ALL ACCOUNTS, IS PACKED THIS MORNING WITH PASSENGERS AFTER FLIGHTS WERE CANCELLED OR DELAYED YESTERDAY. ACCORDING TO PAT HOGEN, WITH THE METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION, AIR TRAVELERS SHOULD EXPECT A BACKUP OF FLIGHTS TODAY. TAPE: THAT'S PAT HOGEN AT TWIN CITIES INTERNATIONAL.
March 18, 2002 - Recent economic indicators suggest the nation may be pulling out its recession, but Minnesota's state and local governments are likely to feel its pain for some time. Saint Paul is among the cities bracing for a tighter budget next year. But among many business people in Saint Paul there's a feeling that the capital city is in a better financial position than it was during the last recession eleven years ago. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports on some of the differences.
March 18, 2002 - Potlatch announced plans to close the company's paper mill in Brainerd today (MONDAY). Over 600 people will be out of a job when the plant closes in two months. The shutdown is part of a deal to sell the company's Cloquet plant to a South African paper manufacturer. Potlatch officials say they want out of the coated paper business. They say it's not a profitable endeavor in light of a flood of foreign imports. Brainerd city leaders hope something can be done to save the hundreds of high paying jobs so important to their community.
March 18, 2002 -
March 18, 2002 - In southeastern Minnesota there are 33 road construction projects slated to begin this year. The largest of these is the Highway 52 expansion. Even though the amount of state funding remains uncertain, the project preparation is underway. Minnesota Department of Transportation officials are in the process of buying property from business and home owners along Highway 52 in Rochester. Reconstructing the four-lane highway has been on the books for a decade. So moving should come as no surprise to property owners. But that doesn't make the process any easier. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report.
March 18, 2002 -
March 19, 2002 -
March 19, 2002 - Minnesota's unemployment rate for February edged up slightly compared to January. The jobless rate of 4.2 percent is the highest in nearly 6 years. Minnesota non-farm payrolls declined by 13 hundred jobs as well, but state officials say the worst is probably over for Minnesota's job market. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
March 19, 2002 -