August 16, 1999 - A new survey indicates Minnesota companies received a record one-hundred-eight million dollars in venture capital funding in the second quarter of this year. Venture capital generally refers to investments in start-up firms that are not yet mature enough to seek funding in the stock market. However as Bill Catlin reports, Minnesota still lags in the share of venture capital it receives.
August 17, 1999 - Second District congressman David Minge and U of M Economist C. Ford Runge discuss proposals to help Minnesota farmers deal with their economic problems.
August 18, 1999 - Minnesota's community banks told U-S Senator Paul Wellstone in no uncertain terms today they want the farm crisis addressed because their own businesses are at stake.
August 19, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura's speech on the state’s role in dealing with the farm crisis, held at the Minnesota Rural Summit in Duluth.
August 27, 1999 - A "Talk of Minnesota" program, presenting the views of MPR listeners on tax rebate checks. Topics include questions of what should be done with them; should the government have kept the money; should overall taxes be cut; who should get the credit for the nation's biggest tax cut.
August 30, 1999 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens’ Forum on the future of rural Minnesota, held at the Minnesota State Fair. Panelists Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator; Bob Ness, Minnesota state representative and chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Finance committee; and Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner, discuss issues and solutions of the rural farm community.
August 31, 1999 - Back in St. Paul, volunteers are collecting money for Olson's legal defense fund. Mary Sutton is an old friend who's serving on the committee. She says they've raised 22-thousand dollars so far.
September 1, 1999 - Shareholders of both Honeywell and AlliedSignal today approved the New Jersey based company's 15 billion dollar buyout of Honeywell. At the Honeywell headquarters, which the company has put up for sale, CEO Michael Bonsignore told shareholders the company had to do something dramatic to retain control of its own destiny.
September 14, 1999 - Twin Cities based Best Buy company, the nation's leading consumer electronics retailer.. releases its second quarter earnings today. The company's share price has fallen percent since hitting a high of 79 last July. The drop reflected fears in some quarters that higher interest rates and other factors could hurt consumers's buying sentiment. If the company's earnings report falls short of Wall Street's expectations, the stock could plunge further. But several analysts say the company's prospects remain good.
September 29, 1999 - Its a good time to be a non-profit in Minnesota. A new study shows foundations and companies in the state increased their charitable giving by 57 percent between 1994 and 1997. That rate is nearly double the national average. Jakie Reis is the President of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, the organization that released the report. She says its not surprising Minnesotans are so eagar to give.