April 22, 2002 - Canadians have been fuming about the sanctions put in place by the Bush administration and now the United States timber producers are just as mad. There is a big difference in price for soft wood from United States and soft wood from Canada. Canada gets a third of the soft wood business from the United States. Canadian mills are also bigger than American mills and therefore are more productive.
April 22, 2002 - The Minnesota Twins are back in first place in the AL Central division after sweeping a three-game series this weekend against the Cleveland Indians at the Metrodome. The series was payback for Cleveland's four-game sweep of the Twins last week. Gordon Wittenmeyer covers the Twins for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He says the Twins have had GREAT pitching, especially from their bull pen, which is ranked first in the major leagues right now.
April 22, 2002 - Maplewood-based 3M today reported its first quarter earnings dropped slightly, but they still surpassed Wall Street's estimates. Analysts say deep cost-cutting and a new management program implemented by CEO James McNerney have made the company a leaner, more efficient company. A little more than a year ago, McNerney became the first outsider ever to run the company. Now he's leading a transformation that's prompting cheers from investors but jitters from employees. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
April 22, 2002 - HOST INTRO: This weekend's snow has many Minnesotans dreaming of spending "April in Paris." Travelers to France hoping to explore the country's cuisine often pack Patricia Wells book "A Food Lovers Guide to Paris." Wells has infused the book with the wisdom, restaurant reviews and tips she's learned during her 20 years as a food columnist for "The International Herald Tribune." Her latest book, "THE PARIS COOKBOOK," has been nominated for a 2002 James Beard Foundation Award. Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham spoke to Patricia Wells during her recent visit to the Twin Cities for Marshall-Fields' salute to the French countryside.
April 22, 2002 - For home gardeners, spring planting is just a few weeks away. But if you're planning to add fertilizer to the soil, reading the product's label won't always tell you whether it's safe. In most states, including Minnesota, manufacturers can sell fertilizer containing arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals without disclosing those ingredients. In Minnesota, that means a product called Ironite is still on the market, despite high levels of contamination. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
April 22, 2002 - Today's Market Report on Minnesota Public Radio is supported by the full-service investment firm of U.S. Bancorp (Bank-Corp) Piper Jaffray. Introducing the marriage of brokerage and banking. A new financial resource for a new era. Member S-I-P-C and N-Y-S-E, Inc. (ink). The time is six minutes before 9:00 and time to hear from MPR's Chief Economics Correspondent and Sound Money host Chris Farrell. Chris says the Federal Reserve is indicating that interest rates are going to stay right where they are for the time being.
April 23, 2002 - Governor Ventura is expected to sign a bill that makes sparklers and other novelty fireworks legal for the first time in six decades. The legislation is a watered down version of an earlier House bill that would have legalized the sale of more powerful fireworks. Supporters of the bill say the state's ban has sent businesses and revenue to neighboring states. The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association strongly opposes the legislation. Tim Farmer, the organization's president, says there was an intense lobbying effort in support of the bill:
April 23, 2002 - Trade potential with China is huge and the past president is going to go talk to China to figure out what they are looking for in a trade and how a trade can be arranged so that both parties will benefit.
April 24, 2002 - President George Bush talked policy and politics in South Dakota today. In a short while the President will appear at a fundraiser for congressional candidate John Thune. He began the day talking to farmers at an ethanol plant near Wentworth. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil was there and joins us now. 1) Host: What kind of reception did the president receive?
April 25, 2002 - President Bush went to South Dakota to talk about farming and trade and also went to raise money. The citizens of South Dakota were enthusiastic about Bush's speech.