July 1, 2003 - Minnesota's gun-control and anti-violence groups lost the legislative fight over Minnesota's so-called "concealed-carry" law. That battle goes on, but activists have also set their sights on another law -- this time at the national level. They say Congress is about to let the gun industry off the hook when its weapons fall into the wrong hands. The industry says it shouldn't be liable for events that are out of its control, and some dealers feel caught in the middle. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 27, 2003 - Northwest Airlines says it will not cut managers' pay next month JULY as expected. Northwest says the 5 to 15 percent pay cuts are on-hold until at least one major union agrees to concessions. Unions say that could actually make those discussions more difficult. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 19, 2003 - (Northwest flight attendants have been casting their votes by phone over the last month. When the polls closed, leaders of the Professional Flight Attendants Association gathered in the lobby of an office building near Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport -- waiting for a phone call with the result.
June 18, 2003 - Northwest Airlines is laying off another 150 aircraft mechanics, most of them in the Twin Cities. The airline is technically eliminating nearly 700 positions in response to a drop in travel caused by the SARS virus. But most of those mechanics will still have work as a result of new jobs Northwest is creating at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports on the airline's latest effort to cut costs.
June 16, 2003 - Eden Prairie-based Best Buy has handed off its nationwide chain of Musicland stores to new management. The Musicland business includes more than 1000 Sam Goody, Suncoast, and MediaPlay stores in all 50 states and Canada. The stores have been losing money for the past year. Best Buy took a substantial corporate loss to get rid of them, but the move was met with glee on Wall Street. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 16, 2003 - Temporary work may not rank high in prestige, but economists keep a close eye on temps for signs that the economy is recovering. When companies expect to grow, they often hire temporary workers before adding to their full-time staff. This month federal labor officials were heartened by a jump in temporary employment on the national level. In Minnesota the temp market may also be starting a mild recovery. But some wonder whether more temporary jobs are such a good sign after all. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 9, 2003 - Starting next month child care will become more expensive for thousands of Minnesota families, and providers will feel a squeeze as well. To help balance the state budget this spring, lawmakers approved cuts in state child care subsidies. Overall the changes are projected to save the state more than 86 million dollars over the next two years. But the cuts may have a secondary effect: Driving some lower-income, working families onto the welfare rolls. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
June 4, 2003 - All this week, Minnesota Public Radio is looking at the growing rates of obesity in the state. Doctors and public health advocates worry Minnesotans are gaining more and more weight. The situation also presents a fundamental and frightening challenge for health insurance companies. Some say the industry is not adapting fast enough. HMOs say Minnesotans themselves need to start living healthier lives. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich has the latest in our series, "The Fight Against Fat."
June 4, 2003 -
June 2, 2003 - For more of our on-going coverage of Northwest Airlines, head to the business page at our website: Minnesota-Public-Radio-dot-org.