February 11, 1999 - Federated Department stores, the company that operates Bloomingdales, Macy's and other retailers is buying Minnesotaetonka based Fingerhut. The transaction is the latest evidence of the internet's affect on Minnesota's retailing industry. Fingerhut is the nation's number 2 catalog retailer after JC Penney, and sells products ranging from clothing to appliances. The deal is valued at 1-point-7 billion dollars.
February 11, 1999 - When the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the L.A. Lakers Thursday night, some amazing athletes will take the floor... but they won't be playing the game They'll be the halftime entertainment. The FM Acro Team... that's F.M. as in Fargo-Moorhead regularly draws standing ovations in arenas around the country for its show gyMinnesotaastics performances.
February 11, 1999 - A labor union traditionally associated with the iron and steel industries is making inroads into representing healthcare workers. The United Steelworkers of America has just been granted representation of more than 800 health clinic workers in Duluth, and the union is targeting additional medical employees across the region.
February 11, 1999 - The impeachment trial of President Clinton is nearly over, and by next week it could be back to other business for members of Congress. But senators and representatives will be assessing the political fallout from the trial for months to come. Polls show that Republicans have lost popularity due to their role in the trial -- and Minnesota's Republican Senator, Rod Grams, may be one of the Senate's most vulnerable members. But Grams is busy looking past impeachment, and is taking the lead on a key issue the Republican party hopes will resonate strongly with voters and bring support back into the fold.
February 15, 1999 - Five weeks into the legislative session, the Minnesota House has passed nearly a dozen bills, including a tax rebate and a repeal of residency requirements for Minneapolis /St. Paul city employees. One first-term legislator co-authored both bills. DFL'er Ann Lenczewski of Bloomington is adjusting to the hectic pace at the Capitol, but is already catching some flak from her caucus for her non-partisan style.
February 15, 1999 - It's been nearly two years since the flood of '97 washed through the Red River Valley, chasing thousands of people from Grand Forks and East Grand Forks and causing widespread destruction. For many the flood is quickly sliding into history. The communities are busy rebuilding. but an alarming number of residents are now struggling with financial and emotional debt. Mental health workers say there is an epidemic of depression.
February 15, 1999 - Members of the House and Senate will sit down this week for what promises to be lengthy negotiations over tax rebates. Legislators in both chambers say they want to find a way to send the rebates to taxpayers as simply and efficiently as possible, but if past experience is any example, that's easier said than done.
February 15, 1999 - A report released today by a Washington research group says that most states have inadequate laws to prevent financial conflicts of interest among local lawmakers. On the national level, members of congress essentially have to give up their outside jobs when they get elected. Federal law requires them to file annual disclosure reports showing their outside income, their investments and any gifts they receive. But on the state level, most legislatures are part-time, and-according to today's report-state conflict-of-interest laws are often easy to dodge.
February 15, 1999 - MPR’s Gretchen Lehmann reports that after years battling severe weather, scab and low crop prices, many farmers in western Minnesota and the Dakotas are looking for a new way to make money off the land. Farmers along Interstate-29 believe they've found the answer... join forces with your neighbors and invest in a dairy.
February 16, 1999 - Instant reality is the theme of an exhibition of photographs on display in Northeast Minneapolis . It's called "The Moment Seized," and the only criteria for the hundreds of pictures adorning the walls of the Acme Visual Arts gallery is that they be shot with a polaroid camera.