October 11, 2002 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports it's not just the players and fans who would like to see the Minnesota Twins success in playoffs last another couple of weeks through to the World Series…so would downtown businesses and merchandisers who are profiting themselves from the Twins' success.
October 11, 2002 - Since 1993, the nonprofit sector has grown nearly non-stop. The number of people working for nonprofits nudged upward again last year. But, now the nonprofit sector is struggling. The total number of non-profit organizations slipped for the first time in several years. Non-profit officials are worried about the downside of a shaky economy, and a huge State budget deficit. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
October 14, 2002 - DFL gubernatorial candidate Roger Moe plans to announce today Mon what he's calling a "large and far-reaching" transportation package. Transportation has become one of the defining issues in the governor's race. The four major party candidates are divided over everything from raising the gas tax to expanding light rail. Some voters say the candidates' views on transportation will determine their vote. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 14, 2002 -
October 15, 2002 - Northwest Airlines is closing its Atlanta aircraft maintenance facility to cut costs. The company is transferring the work to the Twin Cities. Most of the 1450 employees in Atlanta are eligible for transfers to other Northwest facilities. Mechanics union officials say the move may result in some recalls of laid off Twin Cities workers but it's not clear how many. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
October 17, 2002 - Northwest Airlines stock jumped seven percent today after the company reported a third quarter loss that was smaller than Wall Street expected. But company officials cautioned that the airline's future remains uncertain at best. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
October 18, 2002 - Marshall Fields in downtown St. Paul will hold a celebration this weekend to mark the end of its $22 million dollar renovation. The store is brighter, more wide open, and SMALLER after its makeover. It consolidated five sales floors into three and reduced retail space by nearly one-quarter. The Target Corporation got some help paying for the renovation. In return for promising to keep the store open through at least 2012, the city of St. Paul provided $7.8 million dollars to help subsidize the project. Joining us now is Dave Brennan, marketing professor at the University of St. Thomas, and co-director of the school's Institute for Retailing Excellence.
October 18, 2002 - People are debating where Minnesota should get some of its electricity. Xcel Energy wants to continue buying hydro power from Canada. Company officials want a new ten-year contract to buy electricity from Manitoba Hydro. The billion dollar contract would begin in 2005. Environmentalists oppose the contract. They say Manitoba Hydro's dams cause serious damage to the environment. A Cree Indian band is also fighting the plan. They say the hydro-electric dams have destroyed their way of life. The Public Utilities Commission is accepting comment from all sides beginning Monday. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
October 21, 2002 - 3M reported strong third-quarter earnings today , thanks largely to cost-cutting and stronger sales in the Asia-Pacific region. Company officials say, despite the improved results, they don't yet see any rebound in the global economy. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
October 21, 2002 - Minnesota regulators say Qwest, the state's largest phone company, is guilty of sweetheart deals and collusion which violate state and federal laws. The deals, regulators say, were designed to help Qwest enter Minnesota's lucrative long distance phone business. The net effect of Qwest's dealing is some consumers got better phone service deals while the vast majority paid more. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.