April 25, 2002 - Internet users everywhere report an alarming increase in spam and junk mail. It is increasing because people are spending more time on the internet, junk emailers are making money, and spamers are getting more sophisticated in hiding their identity.
April 25, 2002 - $28 million goes to the Minneapolis-based housing fund. McKnight foundation has supported the fund since it started 22 years ago.
April 26, 2002 - The share price of Golden Valley-based General Mills closed down for a second day as investors reacted to the company's decision to slash its fourth quarter profit forecast. This is the second time in less than three months company officials have said profits would fall short of expectations. The results indicate troubles have spread beyond the effort to integrate General Mills' ten-point-four billion dollar acquisition of Pillsbury last fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
April 26, 2002 - Golden Valley based General Mills has laid off about 500 more workers in Minnesota. Slowing sales are also forcing the maker of Cheerios cereals to say profits will fall short of earlier projections. This is the second time the company has disclosed problems since acquiring its Twin Cities neighbor Pillsbury last fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
April 29, 2002 - Chris Farrell talks about what the 5.8 percent growth in the economy means and if we are out of the recession yet.
May 1, 2002 - Northwest Airlines' Pilots union has taken a step towards ratifying a one-year contract extension with the airline, postponing negotiations on certain issues in the hope that air travel will rebound. The airline is also rehiring hundreds of workers and has defused a dispute over employee background checks. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.
May 2, 2002 - America Online has selected Google to provide search results for searches. The AOL deal should be a financial boost. Relevancy and simplicity are two key factors in Google's popularity.
May 2, 2002 - Business leaders and government officials met today in Bloomington for a so-called "congestion summit" designed to let lawmakers know they want action on transportation this year. Business leaders say increasing traffic delays are costing them time and money. Government officials agree the problem is acute, but say they lack the money to pay for new projects, and so far, the political will to raise the necessary funds. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
May 2, 2002 - Riverside plant in Minneapolis opened in 1911 and the High Bridge plant in Saint Paul opened in 1924. The conversion of the two plants from coal to natural gas will eliminate four harmful pollutants: sulfur dioxide, nitrogren oxides, particular matter, and mercury.
May 3, 2002 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on local Cinco de Mayo celebrations. What began as a Mexican national holiday to commemorate an important battle is now a way to share ethnic pride with Minnesota's exploding population of Latinos from many different countries.