December 19, 2003 - Some local officials in central Minnesota are disappointed at plans to scale back the Northstar commuter rail line. The project originally stretched from downtown Minneapolis to Rice, north of St. Cloud. The new proposal calls for a rail line that travels only as far as Big Lake, 45 miles south. Northstar officials say a shorter rail line will cost less and has a better chance of receiving state and federal funding. Some in central Minnesota say they'll push to have the rail line expanded in the future. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
December 19, 2003 - Three children's hospitals in the Twin Cities may consolidate into one, world-class facility if officials at the three organizations can work out a deal. Scott Smith joins Minnesota Public Radio to talk more on the subject.
December 22, 2003 - Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent and Sound Money co-host Chris Farrell talks on retailers holding the line for sales before Christmas an how the recent terror alert will effect the economy.
December 22, 2003 - Thirty years ago, Minnesota's timber industry was booming. But today, the industry is floundering. Recent mill closures and cutbacks in the industry have cost Minnesota more than a thousand jobs. Some say that's partly because prices for Minnesota trees are among the highest in the country. Industry officials say the state could ease the cost crunch. They want Minnesota and the federal government to open up more of their forests to logging. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
December 22, 2003 - The Twin Cities has a long history in the Mutual Fund industry. But now some are concerned that the industry is losing scale, not because of the Mutual Fund scandals, but for a variety of other reasons. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
December 23, 2003 - A number of industries that suffered job losses during the recent recession are expected to rebound in coming years. That's the conclusion the state Department of Employment and Economic Development, which today released its regional employment projections for the next decade. In the Twin Cities metro area, the number of job is expected to increase 14 per cent. The fastest growth is projected in computer fields, healthcare support, and protective services.
December 23, 2003 - Taconite pellets at the former EVTAC mining plant in Eveleth are rolling off the line for the first time in seven months. The plant has reopened under new ownership, United Taconite, which is calling back former EVTAC workers. The plant could eventually employ almost 400 people again. Joining us on the line is Mike Norton, United Taconite's manager of operations.
December 23, 2003 - In the new year, folks who are thinking of building a new home in some of the rural area of Sterns County will get information on some of the nuamces of country life. County officials say a lot of new homes are popping up in what used to be corn fields, so they are working on a brochure which will explain what to expect. Rob Sip is the Sterns County Feedlot Division Supervisor. He says the brochure is pannerned after on developed in Ottawa County, Michigan.
December 23, 2003 - When the economy turns sour, charities often suffer twice. Demand for their services goes up, at the same time as the money coming in slows down. Government and corporate grants, investments, and donations all dry up at the same time. 2003 was another lean year for many charities and foundations, but there are signs 2004 will bring economic recovery and a return to better times. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
December 24, 2003 - "Extremely remote" is how one expert describes the risk humans face of contracting a brain wasting disease from eating beef. Yesterday's announcement of this country's first case of mad cow disease sent futures prices for beef into a plunge. Stock prices of food businesses are also down today. However, a University of Minnesota expert says the spread of mad cow disease in this country is unlikely. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.