January 4, 2000 - Northwest Airlines today filed a federal lawsuit accusing its flight attendants of engaging in an illegal sick out. Northwest says it's been forced to cancel hundreds of flights over the past week because of crew shortages. It's asking a judge to immediately call an end to the alleged sick out. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 4, 2000 - An attorney for a former employee at the Koch refinery in Rosemount portrayed him as a good worker who was fired because he reported serious environmental violations by the company. Charles Chadwell is suing Koch Petroleum Group under a state law that protects whistleblowers from retailiation.The case went before a 10 person civil jury yesterday in Minneapolis. An attorney for Koch told the jury Chadwell was fired for "legitimate and lawful reasons." Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Charles Chadwell is a former waste water treatment operator at the Koch refinery in Rosemount. He was fired in 1997, eight months after he reported environmental violations to the Minnesota
January 5, 2000 - On his 72nd birthday, Walter Mondale, former vice-president, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about America's role in the world, the year in politics, and the century ahead. Mondale also answers listener questions.
January 5, 2000 - As Governor Ventura meets with legislative leaders about legislative priorities, MPR’s Gary Eichten asks for listener call-in commentary on what legislative priorities should be. Program includes an interview with Ventura from previous week, and a call from Steve Sviggum, Minnesota House majority leader. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
January 5, 2000 - A federal judge in St Paul this morning (8:15AM CST) will consider issuing a temporary restraining order barring Northwest Airlines flight attendants from illegal job actions. Northwest filed a lawsuit against the Teamsters union yesterday alleging its flight attendants are engaged in an illegal sick out that's driving away customers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
January 5, 2000 - Intro: The cost of fishing and hunting may go up in 2000. The Department of Natural Resources wants to raise license fees, a crucial revenue source in its budget; the DNR says if the legislature doesn't do so, Minnesota's outdoors will suffer. Mainstreet Radio's Leif Enger reports. In 1949, Minnesota had 147 game wardens. And says Brainerd enforcement supervisor Tom Provost -- that's actually what they were. Provost: "Ninety percent of what we did then we strictly game and fish enforcement. We were the game warden. We were checking fishermen and trappers, hunters, that was what we did."
January 5, 2000 - A federal judge in St. Paul today granted Northwest Airline's request for a Temporary Restraining Order barring its flight attendants from illegal job actions. MInnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
January 5, 2000 - Saint Paul Public School officials say recent test scores indicate their schools and students are moving in the right direction. District leaders today (Wednesday) released results from last fall's Metropolitan Achievement Tests, which show gains at nearly every grade level and in most schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports... Saint Paul Superintendent Pat Harvey began the school year last fall by turning up the heat on the district's failing schools. Eleven schools where test scores and graduations rates had fallen too low were placed on acacdemic probation. And her accountability measures raised classroom expectations throughout the district. Harvey says the results of last fall's round of the Metropolitan Achievement Test, seventh edition, also known as
January 5, 2000 - Two state legislators are reviving the idea of "covenant marriages", an optional form of marriage contract that would make it tougher to get divorced. Supporters say "covenant marriages" would strengthen families and reduce poverty and even crime rates, but some critics are worried about what they perceive as an attack on modern divorce laws. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
January 5, 2000 - Travelers could have a few more options for airline travel in the coming months. The Metropolitan Airports Commission is close to approving a plan that will free up seven gates for new carriers at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The MAC has been under pressure to make it easier for Northwest's competitors to gain a foothold in the market. Jeff Hamiel is the executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 6511 | TIME: 3:53 | OUTCUE: "...gates at MSP." --------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Hamiel is the executive director of the Metropolitan airports commission. The full Metropolitan Commission will vote on the