October 4, 2002 - Topic: Warm start to the week Much like the first week of the month, the last day of September (Monday the 30th) brought record warmth to many parts of the state. The following record high temperatures were reported..... Rochester 86 F (tied 1952) Benson 88 F (tied 1976) Owatonna 88 F Red Wing 86 F Moose Lake 82 F (tied 1976) Many other locations reported temperatures in the 80s F, though not record-setting. Topic: One of the wettest growing seasons..... May through September, the primary growing season for Minnesota gardeners and farmers, was one of the wettest in history for many locations. In fact, statewide many communities reported well over 25 inches for the period. The Twin Cities reported 28.52 inches of rainfall, the 2nd wettest ever growing season (1892 was 31.42 inches). Crookston in the Red River valley reported over 24 inches of growing season rainfall, their 2nd wettest in history, while Rosemount in Dakota County reported 30.10 inches, also their 2nd wettest growing season. Topic: Paper airplanes galore!! An article in the American Meteorological Society Bulletin describes an event that took place in Oklahoma this year to promote the study of aerodyanamics and the upper atmosphere. Organized by Takeoff Technologies in Pomona,
October 4, 2002 - 3M, one of the country's biggest manufacturers, is about to expand into the service industry. The idea is to sell contracts to customers who buy products that need ongoing services. 3M's CEO James McNerney's (mick-NER-knee's) new strategy could add a whole new dimension to the 16 billion dollar company. 3M's move is the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Reporter Sam Black, who wrote the article, says the company is looking to develop ongoing relationships with its customers.
September 20, 2002 - The time is rapidly approaching when Minnesotans love to admire the beautiful changes in color that autumn brings. For those MPR listeners new to the state, I think you will find that the fall season is perhaps the most favored one for most residents.
August 30, 2002 - Californi-based Wells Fargo bank has tapped Jon Campbell, the CEO of Wells Fargo in Minnesota, to head a new effort to retain customers. The bank lost some customers after recent acquisitions, and officials are hoping to keep the trend from getting out of control. Wells Fargo is also planning to build new branches in the Twin Cities for the first time in years. The bank's plans are the topic two articles in this week's "The Business Journal." John Hoogesteger (hoog-uh-STAY-ger) is the reporter who wrote the articles. He says Wells Fargo's top leadership has a lot of confidence in Jon Campbell.
August 28, 2002 - A new literary magazine that's based in Minnesota will hit newsstands across the country this week. It's called "Speakeasy," and it's published by the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. The editors of the magazine want it to serve both people who love to write, and those who love to read. Bart Schneider is the editor of "Speakeasy." He says the premier issue covers a variety of topics.
June 21, 2002 - Best Buy is suing unidentified defendants who are accused of breaking into the computer system of a Best Buy affiliate. The computer hackers allegedly hijacked an email program, and sent spam to people on some of Best Buy's email lists. The spam APPEARED to come from Best Buy, and allegedly contained offensive messages, and links to pornography web sites. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court against John and Jane Doe, and is seeking fines and a court order to prevent the defendants from further use of the Best Buy name. The company's suit is the topic of an article in today's "The Business Journal." Andy Tellijohn is the reporter who wrote the story. He tells MPR's Perry Finelli that there are good reasons to sue against unnamed perpretrators.
June 17, 2002 - MPR’s Eugen Cha reports on efforts by Minnetonka-based company Cargill and the University of Minnesota to turn corn into plastic. It may give the state a lead in an emerging area of biotech, where the finished products are not medicines, or even crops, but industrial materials like plastic.
June 14, 2002 - The Department of Soil, Water, and Climate Re: Suggestions for MPR's Morning Edition, June 14, 2002 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY ON SUNDAY I'll have an update on the new seasonal climate outlook if there is anything significant to report...... Topic: 10th Anniversary of a very cold summer
May 31, 2002 - HEADLINES: Topic: May climate summary Average temperatures for the month of May were 4 to 8 degrees F cooler than normal around the state. Extremes during the month ranged from 91 degrees F at Olivia on the 29th to just 10 degrees F at Embarrass on the 3rd. Five times during the month Minnesota reported the lowest temperature in the 48 conterminous states.
May 24, 2002 -