May 17, 2001 - The Minnesota Nurses Association reports an overwhelming turnout today as its members vote on a contract proposal from 13 Twin Cities hospitals. If the nearly nine thousand nurses vote against the contract, a strike is possible. We'll talk with representatives on both sides. First, Jan Rabbers is spokesperson for the Minnesota Nurses Association. She says the majority of bargaining units are recommending nurses reject the contract
May 17, 2001 - Foot and Mouth disease is a major threat to the United States. It could wipe out the entire livestock population of South Dakota.
May 17, 2001 - The state Legislature appears one step closer to a special session. The House, the Senate, and Governor Jesse Ventura were unable to reach agreement last night on a budget deal for major tax and spending bills. With only five days left before the Constitutional deadline for adjournment, all three sides say reaching agreement could prove elusive. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
May 17, 2001 - Today, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is holding its 10th Annual B-BOP Day across the Twin Cities. B-Bop is meant to encourage people to commute using bikes, busses or car pools. It's an effort to cut traffic congestion and pollution. Joining us on the line is Brad Beagle, who rides his bike from the Macalester neighborhood in St. Paul, to his workplace in the northwestern suburb of Plymouth.
May 18, 2001 - Nurses at 12 of 13 Twin Cities hospitals have rejected a contract proposal and say they'll strike when their contract runs out on May 31st. Nurses at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale ratified their contract after hospital management broke ranks with the other hospitals by offering better terms. The union says the vote allows 7700 nurses to strike on June first. They say a voter turnout of more than 80 percent should send a strong message to the hospitals that nurses are prepared to mount the metro area's first major nursing strike since 1984 unless they get a better deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 21, 2001 -
May 22, 2001 - Nurses at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale upset about last week's vote to approve a new three-year contract are asking for a recount. North Memorial was the only one of thirteen hospitals to approve a contract. Twelve other hospitals are preparing for a possible strike on June first. A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership says the nurse's union and hospitals will likely meet with a federal mediator on Thursday. But hospitals are moving forward with their strike preparations, and are looking to hire 4,000 replacement nurses in order to stay open. Some of those replacements could come from outside the state. Shirley Brekken is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Nursing. She's on the line now.
May 23, 2001 - Medtronic reported strong year-end earnings yesterday , despite a slowdown in some of its key businesses. The Fridley based medical device company also said it will trim its workforce by about 450 jobs, or less than two percent of the worldwide total. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
May 23, 2001 -
May 24, 2001 - Negotiators with the Minnesota Nurses Assocation and 12 Twin Cities hospitals will resume talks today (thursday) about a new contract. 7,700 nurses have notified the hospitals that they'll strike if they don't get the contract they want by June first. Both sides are optimistic they can avert a strike if negotiations go well over the next two days. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...