May 18, 2001 - President Bush will be in Pennsylvania today promoting his energy agenda. The President unveiled his policy yesterday in St. Paul, saying the nation needs to increase energy production for economic and national security reasons. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports....
May 17, 2001 - President Bush today outlined a wide-ranging energy policy he says the country needs to avoid increasing fuel costs AND power black outs like those in California. The President unveiled his energy agenda before an audience in downtown St. Paul. The plan calls for more power plants, more power lines and pipelines... and more nuclear energy. But the President says conservation and alternative energy development are also keys parts of his policy. We have two reports .... BEGINNING with Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik...
May 17, 2001 - President George W. Bush is scheduled to arrive at the Twin Cities International Airport in just over a half-hour. The President is coming here to announce his long-awaited national energy policy. He'll make that announcement at RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul and that's where Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik is standing by. Good morning Mark. 1. SO WHAT'S ON THE PRESDIENT'S SCHEDULE? 2. What about protesters Mark... already a lot of environmental groups are criticizing the Bush plan. Where will they be? 3. Why is all of this taking place in St. Paul? 4. We had been getting used to seeing President Clinton around the state especally last year. How will the Bush visit differ from past Clinton stops?
May 16, 2001 - President Bush will be in Minnesota tomorrow to release the Republican administration's new energy policy. Political analysts say it's no coincidence the president is coming to St. Paul given the city's mayor Norm Coleman has all but OFFICIALLY launched a campaign to unseat DFL Senator Paul Wellstone. They also say Minnesotans can expect a steady stream of big name Democrats AND Republicans and almost certainly more visits from President Bush leading up to next year's election. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
May 10, 2001 - The St. Paul Pioneer Press has told employees there will be significant jobs cuts at the paper as part of an effort by its parent company Knight Ridder to maintain profitability in a slowing economy. Pioneer Press managers say they plan to trim roughly ten percent of the work force. They hope to achieve most of the cuts through attrition and voluntary job buy outs, but union leaders are bracing for layoffs. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
May 9, 2001 - The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association announced today Northwest Airlines mechanics and aircraft cleaners have voted overwhelming to ratify a new agreement. Officials with Northwest and the union are planning a contract signing ceremony Friday at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The vote ends a four and a half year old battle between Northwest and its mechanics. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
May 2, 2001 - Throughout the country businesses are responding to the economic slowdown. In Minnesota alone tens of thousands of workers have lost their jobs in the last nine months. Economists are debating whether the economy may have already hit bottom. But in the real world managers are faced with hard choices -- and none are tougher than the decision to lay off workers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik visited with a production veteran who runs a large Twin Cities-based manufacturing company that's been forced to make major changes.
April 30, 2001 - Labor turmoil in the airline industry has travel experts warning consumers to carefully plan trips this summer. The four largest US carriers are ALL working to resolve open contracts with unions. Thousands of airline workers are under court order NOT to disrupt flight schedules. Although unions at Northwest and Delta are moving toward settlements, workers at the nation's two largest carriers are threatening to strike. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik tracked down some advice on ways YOU can steer clear of airline problems if you're planning a trip.
April 11, 2001 - CONTAINS DATED MATERIAL! Flooding is creating major problem in parts of the Twin Cities, especially in the east metro where the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers crest projections continue to increase. As the water rises municipal crews along with growing numbers of volunteers are beefing up dikes and levees, pumping flood water BACK into rivers AND filling thousands of sandbags. The Stillwater lift bridge over the St. Croix is also closed.
April 5, 2001 - Less than a week before a Presidential Emergency Board is set to make a settlement recommendation on the Northwest Airlines Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association contract dispute, the two sides are headed back to the table. The National Mediation Board has summoned airline and union negotiators to Washington for meetings this weekend. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...