September 29, 1998 - A new Minnesota non-profit which will decide how to spend some of the state's tobacco settlement met for the first time today. The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco will administer about 200-million dollars approved by the court for smoking cessation and research.
September 29, 1998 - Republican candidate for governor Norm Coleman says proceeds from the multi BILLION dollar tobacco settlement not already earmarked for programs to reduce smoking should fund tax cuts. Democratic Skip Humphrey who as Attorney General won the settlement, says is he's elected governor, he'll push for hundreds of millions in additonal tobacco dollars to fund health programs. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports the debate over the tobacco money is heating up in the governor's race.
September 30, 1998 - "The World Turned Upside Down," an American RadioWorks documentary about deflation, with MPR's Steven Smith and Chris Farrell. Contains various interviews and commentary.
September 30, 1998 - Children's Broadcasting Corporation of Minneapolis has won a twenty- million dollar lawsuit against Disney/ABC. Two years ago CBC, which ran the Radio AAHS network, sued ABC/Disney for breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. The two companies were involved in a short-lived joint venture in 1995. When ABC/Disney abruptly ended the alliance in 1996, it launched Radio Disney. CBC ended up selling its network and dropping out of the market. Christopher Dahl is the president and CEO of CBC. He says the verdict is a vindication, but comes too late to resurrect Radio AAHS.
September 30, 1998 - Six states are now actively preventing Canadian imports from getting to their destinations. Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio and Nebraska are inspecting trucks and requiring proof the animals or grain are disease free. In South Dakota the trucks are not allowed to pass through the state without that documentation. The inspections started two weeks ago in the Daktoas at the urging of South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow. He says as a result of the border inspections, U-S Department of Agriculture has now agreed to talk trade issues with Canadian officials. For South Dakota's governor this border war is something personal. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland talked with Bill Janklow today.
October 1, 1998 -
October 1, 1998 - The Federal Environmental Protection Agency has negotiated a 32 and a half million dollar settlement for environmental violations by Marathon Ashland Incorporated. The company operates refineries in Kentucky, Ohio, and St.Paul Park. THe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says only a small portion of the fine is for violations at the St. Paul Park refinery.
October 1, 1998 - Another Health care company is pulling out of the Medicare market. Today Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it's dropping its Blue Plus Preferred Seniors Plan in the metro area. Two days ago, another Health Care giant, Medica, announced it was dropping its medicare HMO's in four counties. The Health care companies say the can't afford to provide the plans because federal reimbursement rates for Medicare patients are so low. Former Minnesota senator David Durenberger is now serving on a federal commission charged with solving the Medicare problem. He says Minnesota seniors who had these plans will still be able to see their regular doctor and go to their usual clinics and hospitals.
October 1, 1998 - The three major-party candidates for governor met today in Brainerd for the first debate of the general election campaign. The League of Women Voters had billed the event as a debate of rural issues, but the candidates ranged over most of the contentious issues of the '98 campaign.
October 1, 1998 - There are new ways to get in and out of Duluth this week. On Monday, American Eagle Airlines began non-stop flight service from Duluth to Chicago. Today Mesaba Airlines began three daily flights direct to Detroit. Both companies are offering reduced rate fares to launch the new services, and customers are delighted.