June 4, 2003 - Best Buy has been moving people into its new headquarters on 494 since early 2003. Today, they are holding the campus dedication. It marks the end of their move. The headquarters are sort of an all-inclusive campus. They have an exercise place, shops, places to eat, child care... everything except bowling, Marcus says. He can describe the headquarters. He says this is something of a trend, particularly in the Twin Cities. 3M has a similar setup, as well as some other companies. And, he says, there are other companies throughout the country that have this sort of setup.
June 5, 2003 -
June 10, 2003 -
June 11, 2003 - The future of the largest railroad expansion plan since the Civil War goes before a Federal Appeals court today (WED) in St. Paul. The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad's 2-billion dollar project includes hundreds of miles of new and rehabilitated track. It's all part of a plan to haul coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin through South Dakota and Minnesota. The federal government has endorsed the expansion. But that approval faces a challenge from a handful of communities and environmental groups. They argue the project should not proceed in its current form. We have two reports this morning on the legal proceedings and their effect on the railroad. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has the first installment:
June 11, 2003 - The fate of the largest modern railroad expansion is now in the hands of a federal appeals court. A three-judge panel heard arguments today (WED) in St. Paul. The Dakota Minnesota and Eastern Railroad's 2-billion dollar expansion requires hundreds of miles of new and rehabilitated track. It's all part of a plan to haul coal from Wyoming through South Dakota and Minnesota. A federal board approved that plan early last year. But it remains highly controversial. And today (WED) opponents challenged the federal approval process. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports.
June 13, 2003 -
June 16, 2003 - Minnesota's Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty joins host Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to discuss current events and answer listener questions. We discuss upcoming trade trip, and other issues facing Minnesota and the nation.
June 16, 2003 - Temporary work may not rank high in prestige, but economists keep a close eye on temps for signs that the economy is recovering. When companies expect to grow, they often hire temporary workers before adding to their full-time staff. This month federal labor officials were heartened by a jump in temporary employment on the national level. In Minnesota the temp market may also be starting a mild recovery. But some wonder whether more temporary jobs are such a good sign after all. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 16, 2003 - Eden Prairie-based Best Buy has handed off its nationwide chain of Musicland stores to new management. The Musicland business includes more than 1000 Sam Goody, Suncoast, and MediaPlay stores in all 50 states and Canada. The stores have been losing money for the past year. Best Buy took a substantial corporate loss to get rid of them, but the move was met with glee on Wall Street. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 18, 2003 - Tracy Ringolsby, sports columnist for Rocky Mountain News, recently published an article looking at the Twins attendance figures and says The Twins should be contracted. That doesn't sit well with Minnesota Twins’ Dave St. Peter, who sees the numbers differently.