March 29, 2001 - Thousands of N-C-Double-A basketball fans are beginning to flood into the Twin Cities for the Final Four this weekend. It's the second time the event has come to Minneapolis. All official Final Four events are in downtown Minneapolis...still restaurants and hotels throughout the Twins Cities will see a big spike in business. And the influx of money couldn't come at a better time of the year. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
March 21, 2001 - Minnesota Public Radio has learned local AND federal prosecutors have decided NOT to bring criminal charges against a former Northwest Airlines pilot for allegedly flying under the influence of alcohol earlier this year. Blood alcohol tests of Timothy McCourt showed he was in violation of flying under the influence laws. But because Northwest handled the tests WITHOUT law enforcement, prosecutors do NOT have good enough evidence to charge McCourt. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
March 20, 2001 - Northwest Airlines says it will soon unveil a plan to cut costs in response to a decline in ticket sales. The airline says the weakening economy is forcing the move. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
March 19, 2001 - Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union make their cases for a contract settlement before a three member Presidential Emergency Board this week. Four days of board hearings convene this afternoon in a Philadelphia hotel. In less than a month the PEB will present President Bush with a settlement proposal that COULD end the four and a half year old dispute. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
February 20, 2001 - Northwest Airlines CEO John Dasburg is stepping down after ten years. The airline has named Richard Anderson, who's currently chief operating officer, as its new C-E-O. The change in leadership comes as the airline faces strike threats from its mechanics union. The new chief executive must also choose a strategy for confronting proposed mergers among rival airlines. Anderson is pledging to improve employee relations and customer service. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
February 16, 2001 - A legislative effort to make the fourth "Driving While Intoxicated" charge in ten years a felony cleared a major hurdle today. The Senate Crime Prevention Committee approved the bill sending it on to the finance committee. The same committee also heard testimony for AND AGAINST a proposed tax on alcohol sales in Minnesota to help pay for alcoholism treatment and for enforcement of alcohol related laws. Even the author of the new tax admits the measure has little chance for approval. DFL Senator John Marty says he's hopeful discussion NOW will lead to a so-called alcohol "user" fee in the future. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports..
February 12, 2001 - Leaders of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association are urging Northwest Airlines mechanics to prepare for a strike in less than a month even though President Bush says he'll keep the workers on the job past the thirty day cooling off period if an contract agreement isn't reached. The National Mediation Board released the airline and the union from negotiations over the weekend triggering the count down to a March 12th strike the White House says it will block. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 24, 2001 - St. Paul has picked off five hundred jobs from Minneapolis. Today a company called Personnel Decisions International announced plans to move across the river into St. Paul office buildings owned by the Minnesota Life Insurance company. St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman says the new jobs mark a continuation of the city's turnaround and are worth the one and a half million dollar subsidy the city is giving the company. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 17, 2001 - Northwest Airlines has announced a multi BILLION dollar aircraft order it says will modernize and simplify its fleet. The Minnesota-based airline, which flies the OLDEST FLEET of any of the majors, is buying 52 Boeing and Airbus planes many of which will replace Northwest DC-10's. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports....
January 16, 2001 - Throughout the country people are losing their jobs as companies struggle with decreased sales. Rising energy costs, a sagging stock market, and declining consumer confidence threaten to derail the nation's longest economic expansion. The incoming Bush administration is using the threat of RECESSION... to bolster the argument for massive tax cuts. And the Federal Reserve Bank has begun cutting interest rates. Local economists say as the nation goes SO TOO does Minnesota. Layoffs are hitting this region... people who assist dislocated workers say they're busier now than they've been in nearly a decade. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...