September 24, 2002 - The four major party candidates for Governor held a debate in front of a business-minded audience today (TUESDAY) in St. Cloud. The candidates pushed issues important to areas outside the metro; access to health care, business development and the state's budget. But the candidates hit on one issue several times, transportation. The candidates said traffic congestion across much of the state will get worse in the future. But each one offers a different solution to the problem.
September 25, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura is en route to Cuba today. Ventura will spend the next three days participating in the U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition in Havana. The governor and leaders from several prominent Minnesota companies say the island nation presents a new market for the state's farmers -- but Ventura's visit has drawn criticisms from Bush administration officials who say he's only lending legitimacy to Fidel Castro's government. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is traveling with Ventura. He prepared this report.
October 2, 2002 - Northwest Airlines says it will cut up to 1600 flight attendant jobs, because of a continuing slowdown in air travel after last year's terrorist attacks. Northwest says it expects about 500 actual layoffs by years end. Company officials say they hope a voluntary leave program will reduce the number of layoffs. However, the flight attendants union says the leave program is much less attractive than a program established a year ago. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
October 2, 2002 - Two Minnesota-based companies are on BusinessWeek magazine's list of the nation's top ten corporate boards. The magazine gives the boards of Medtronic and 3M high marks for independence, accountability and quality. By comparison, Apple, Xerox and Gap all made the "worst" list. And the magazine reserved companies like Enron, Tyco and Worldcom for a brand new category called the "Hall of Shame." Business Week Management Editor Louis Lavelle says 3M and Medtronic are both newcomers to the "best" list:
October 3, 2002 - All 29 West Coast seaports remain closed as longshoremen and management have failed to end an almost weeklong lockout. Minnesota companies that depend on the ports say they were prepared for the closures. And most businesses say they'll be OK if the lockout ends soon. But a long lock out could present problems. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.
October 4, 2002 - Xcel Energy officials say their own internal audit of outage records has turned up no evidence of falsification. But new accusations the company has altered records have also surfaced. State officials are investigating allegations from undisclosed accusers that the company changed records to remain in compliance with state time limits on power outages. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
October 4, 2002 - 3M, one of the country's biggest manufacturers, is about to expand into the service industry. The idea is to sell contracts to customers who buy products that need ongoing services. 3M's CEO James McNerney's (mick-NER-knee's) new strategy could add a whole new dimension to the 16 billion dollar company. 3M's move is the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Reporter Sam Black, who wrote the article, says the company is looking to develop ongoing relationships with its customers.
October 4, 2002 -
October 4, 2002 - Topic: Warm start to the week Much like the first week of the month, the last day of September (Monday the 30th) brought record warmth to many parts of the state. The following record high temperatures were reported..... Rochester 86 F (tied 1952) Benson 88 F (tied 1976) Owatonna 88 F Red Wing 86 F Moose Lake 82 F (tied 1976) Many other locations reported temperatures in the 80s F, though not record-setting. Topic: One of the wettest growing seasons..... May through September, the primary growing season for Minnesota gardeners and farmers, was one of the wettest in history for many locations. In fact, statewide many communities reported well over 25 inches for the period. The Twin Cities reported 28.52 inches of rainfall, the 2nd wettest ever growing season (1892 was 31.42 inches). Crookston in the Red River valley reported over 24 inches of growing season rainfall, their 2nd wettest in history, while Rosemount in Dakota County reported 30.10 inches, also their 2nd wettest growing season. Topic: Paper airplanes galore!! An article in the American Meteorological Society Bulletin describes an event that took place in Oklahoma this year to promote the study of aerodyanamics and the upper atmosphere. Organized by Takeoff Technologies in Pomona,
October 7, 2002 - Next month North Dakota voters will decide whether their state should join with others in a lottery. Proponents say North Dakota is losing money. Thats because all the neighboring states and even Canadian provinces have lotteries. Three times North Dakota voters have said no to a lottery. But its back on the ballot again. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.