August 28, 1998 - Clinton Administration officials speaking on condition of anonymity say the President is unlikely to intervene if Northwest Airlines pilots go on strike at 11:01 tonight. Underlying the administration's reasoning is a belief that after more than 10 days of mediated talks, there's a good chance the pilots and the company will settle their remaining issues. Under the Railway Labor Act, the president, acting on the recommendation of the National Mediation Board, can avert a strike with a 60-day "cooling off" period if he finds "a substantial economic threat" would deprive a region of a "central transportation service." Associate Professor of Political Science at Gustavus Adolophus College, Chris Gilbert says a Northwest strike would undoubtedly have a negative economic impact on the region, but in the national scheme, it's not considered a big enough problem for the President to intervene right away:
August 31, 1998 - Chris Farrell, MPR's senior business and economics editor, discusses recent negative activity on the stock market, farm surpluses, Russian and Asian financial crises. Farrell also answers listener questions.
August 31, 1998 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens’ Forum gubernatorial debate held at Minnesota State Fair. The five DFL candidates, Skip Humphrey III, Doug Johnson, Mark Dayton, Mike Freeman, Ted Mondale, and Independent candidate Jesse Ventura attended (Republican Norm Coleman did not accept invitation). Star Tribune’s Lori Sturdevant moderated debate, which begins with discussion of Northwest strike.
August 31, 1998 - The stock market took a big plunge today. Waves of selling moved through the market in the final two hours of trading. The Dow industrials average suffered its second worst point loss ever, declining 512 points or six percent. Tony Carideo is the director of Research for John G. Kinnard in Minneapolis. Sun 28-MAY 09:12:25 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
August 31, 1998 - The Midway business is big business. Across the country each year, carnivals generate millions of dollars in revenue at state and county fairs. But being a carnival worker is more competitive than ever... and it is no different on the Minnesota State Fair's Mighty Midway. MPR's Lynette Nyman provides report on the challenges and work of the working the Midway.
August 31, 1998 - Minnesota Public Radio's "Campaign 98." From now to the primary in September, we're presenting in-depth looks at the where the candidates stand on the big issues. This week we're focusing on crime. In this segment, Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste talks with the Republican endorsed candidate, St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman. BACK ANNOUNCE: You can hear the next segment of our Campaign 98 focus on the issues tomorrow on Morning Edition when (reporter) talks with (candidate) about economic development.
August 31, 1998 - Throughout this election season, Minnesota Public Radio is examining some of the campaign advertising for the state's gubernatorial candidates. A little more than two weeks before the September primary, DFL'er Mark Dayton has greatly outspent his opponents on TV spots - some of the candidates haven't even run ads yet. Although the candidates are largely avoiding personal attacks, analysts say the political parties are running the nastier ads. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
August 31, 1998 - Pilots for Northwest airlines are walking picket lines for the third day in a row today at the airline's hubs in Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis St Paul. Northwest has cancelled all domestic flights through Tuesday and cancelled all international flights through Wednesday even if pilots and management settle. The company could announce even more cancellations later today. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports from St Paul: That report by Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki.
August 31, 1998 - Twin cities airport officials say things were relatively calm at Minneapolis St. Paul Internaional airport today. Airport officials had been bracing for the worst on the first business day of the Northwest airlines pilots strike which grounded the airline late friday. As Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports, morning travellers either had an easy time of it, or became ensnared in frustrating misadventures trying to get out of town. sfx-- Are they insane?
August 31, 1998 - It is day three of the Northwest Airlines' pilots strike. So far, at least in the Twin Cities, the melee predicted by the airline has NOT materialized at the airport. Northwest customers are apparantly finding alternatives... and judging from sparse crowds at the airport, many of them may have choosen NOT to fly. No further negotiations are yet scheduled. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...