November 29, 2002 -
December 2, 2002 - Retail sales got off to a strong start over the weekend nationally and in Minnesota. The results from the traditional start of the holiday shopping season trumped projections of lackluster sales. But skeptics say it's too soon to predict consumers will leave their caution in the parking lot. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
December 3, 2002 -
December 6, 2002 - Experts say the expected bankruptcy of United Airlines will likely put downward pressure on wages at Twin Cities-based Northwest Airlines. Northwest has one of the state's largest payrolls, with nearly 20 thousand employees. Aviation industry analysts say United's wages will likely drop in bankruptcy, and that payrolls at Northwest and other carriers could follow suit. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
December 6, 2002 - Work crews in St. Paul braved the cold Thursday to erect two giant steel oak leaves that tower over a set of colorful public benches. Sponsors of the sculpture say it's the first artist-designed bus shelter in the city, and they hope it'll be inspiration for more public art on a notoriously bland commercial strip. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
December 9, 2002 -
December 9, 2002 - At noon today on our Midday program, we'll air a new historical documentary, "Powerline Blues." It's the story of a mass movement of farmers who tried to stop a high voltage transmission line in west central Minnesota in the late 1970's. The struggle caught the attention of a young Carleton College professor named Paul Wellstone. He later co-authored a book about it, Powerline: The First Battle of America's Energy War. In this report, Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure looks at how the protest helped shape the man who went on to the US Senate as a champion for the little guy against the power structure. Listen today at for the new documentary "Powerline Blues" -- It will air at 12 noon on MPR's midday program.
December 10, 2002 -
December 11, 2002 - As local governments finish the annual budget process, they are holding public hearings to give property taxpayers a chance to comment on the tax bills they'll get in the new year. This year the meetings occur against the ominous backdrop of a big state budget deficit that has cities, counties -- and taxpayers -- worried about what the future holds. Minnesota Pubilc Radio's William Wilcoxen attended last night's "Truth in Taxation" hearing in Saint Paul and has this report...
December 12, 2002 -