August 26, 2002 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports on what’s behind being a vendor at the Minnesota State Fair. For vendors, the Fair is a huge business opportunity. Competition for a slot at the fair is intense, and the barriers to entry are high. But, given the chance, those who've set up shop at the fair say it's worth the trouble and the wait.
July 23, 2002 - Corporate earnings season is in full swing, and several Minnesota companies are reporting strong profits. But their stock prices remain stagnant. Investors' confidence in corporate America is clearly shaken in the wake of a series of corporate scandals. Analysts say there is a growing disconnect between the strength of many corporations and their stock prices. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
July 22, 2002 - 3M says its earnings more than doubled in the second quarter and raised its forecasts for the year. But 3M officials say the prospects for the global and domestic economy still remain uncertain at best. Analysts were hoping that strong earnings reports from 3M and from several other companies would help stabilize the stock market. No such luck. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
July 10, 2002 - Proposals by President Bush and the New York Stock Exchange designed to root out and prevent corporate malfeasance are rising to the top of the agenda at Minnesota's largest corporations. Lawyers from some of those companies discussed scandal, reform and the future at a forum in Minneapolis this morning . Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
July 1, 2002 - The Federal Government is holding a job fair this week for federal screeners at the Twin Cities Airport. The government will eventually employ more than one thousand screeners and administrators at the airport as it takes over security from the airlines. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
July 1, 2002 - Misconduct by some of the nation's largest companies has sparked a crisis in confidence in American business. Now business executives and others say it's time to recommit to the principles of ethical business. For guidance, it turns out Minnesota is a good place to start. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
June 10, 2002 - 3M turns 100 this week. In the past century, the company grew from a troubled little startup in Two Harbors, Minnesota to one of the world's most innovative companies. But some prominent 3M-ers are voicing concerns that sweeping changes could threaten the company's storied culture of innovation. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
May 27, 2002 - If retailers had a wish, most would want to know what it is that makes people buy. Now one Minneapolis agency called Fame is looking to grant that wish. It's set up its own store where it spies on customers. What they do is legal, and customers don't seem to mind. But the practice highlights an area of the law some say needs more attention. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
May 23, 2002 - Ted Deikel and Tom Petters have signed a non-binding letter of intent to buy most of Fingerhut from its parent, Federated Department Stores. Terms of the potential deal were not disclosed ... but it brings renewed job hopes to laid off Fingerhut workers, and to the city of St. Cloud, which was bracing for the closure of one of its largest businesses. A deal would put Deikel back in charge of a company he had helped build into one of the nation's largest catalog retailers. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
May 15, 2002 - Honeywell plans to lay off as many as 900 Minnesota workers as it closes four of its Twin Cities advanced circuits facilities. The cuts will end Honeywell's advanced circuits business in Minnesota. The company says an industry-wide crisis is forcing it to reduce capacity. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.