November 19, 1999 - Mediation talks appear to have broken down between the State of Minnesota, Minneapolis Public Schools, and the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP.
November 19, 1999 - A hog processing plant built and owned by farmers may be in business by next spring near the southwest Minnesota town of Dawson. Ground was broken yesterday for the six million dollar plant, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. With the farm crisis tightening its grip on hog producers, some say the plant is their last chance to stay in business.
November 22, 1999 - Every Thanksgiving, airports across the country are jammed with travelers impatient to enjoy a brief holiday weekend away from home. In addition to the usual bustle, air passengers this year will also contend with extra construction at the Minneapolis -St. Paul International airport. Construction crews are working around the clock on a massive airport upgrade. They're erecting more parking ramps, more gates and a skyway to connect far-flung areas of the airport. They are also building an underground train that will move passengers quickly between concourses. Overseeing the project is Denny Probst, director of Land Side development at the airport. He says the improvements should help the airport keep pace with the growing number of air travelers.
November 22, 1999 - Twin Cities based medical technology company Medtronic has reported a 22 percent jump in earnings. Medtronic is the world's largest manufacturer of medical devices such as pacemakers. Its earnings report may indicate whether its recent acquisitions were wise business decisions.
November 22, 1999 - The academic misconduct scandal in the University of Minnesota's men's basketball program could ultimately cost more than $5-million -- not to mention the jobs of top university administrators. A report issued late last week confirmed widespread fraud in the program. Most observers approve of university president Mark Yudof's job confronting the scandal -- but some are raising questions.
November 23, 1999 - The snow has arrived, and the plows are out, so transit officials are once again warning motorists to steer clear of the road crews. This year a new technology developed at the University of Minnesota could help plow operators avoid accidents. John Scharfbillig is the field supervisor for highway maintenance for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. This morning he demonstrated the new technology for me out in Rogers, Minnesota, where one proto-type plow will hit the road this winter.
November 23, 1999 - State lawmakers are beginning to square off for what promises to be a major battle over highway funding this winter. Tomorrow morning, House Republicans will unveil a plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to repair roads and bridges -- AND add new lanes to the regions most congested highways. The new emphasis on cars and highways threatens to put the Republicans on a collision course with the Ventura Administration.
November 23, 1999 - Mothers Against Drunk Driving says Minnesota is losing ground in the effort to stop drunk driving. The group's latest report card gives Minnesota a C-plus, a grade several lawmakers and state officials say is unacceptable.
November 24, 1999 - Minneapolis officials are going back to the drawing board to try find another way to help the Guthrie Theatre build a new facility. The city council today voted down an elaborate proposal that includes asking the city's park board to relocate it's highly valued Parade Stadium baseball field for the new Guthrie Theatre.
November 24, 1999 - A new report says Minnesota's public education system is falling short when it comes to preparing students for the world of work. The Citizens League Committee on Workforce Training says the growing shortage of high-skilled workers could force some businesses to leave the state.