January 20, 1999 - Federal investigators reviewing last December's Holidazzle accident have found no evidence of mechinical problems with the police van that accelerated into a crowd of parade watchers, killing two people. Their report is part of a state investigation is still underway. An attorney representing families of the victims says criminal charges should be filed against the officier who was driving the van.
January 19, 1999 - Northwest airlines closed its books on 1998 today posting a net loss for the year approaching 300 MILLION dollars. The loss stems largely from labor troubles last year which began with a work slow down and culminated with a more than two week pilots' strike. Northwest was also hurt by continued weakness in Asia, a market from which it traditionally derives nearly a third of its revenue.
January 12, 1999 - Many Minnesotans may not notice much of a difference in the size of their rebate checks no matter how the Legislature and Governor decide to return the budget surplus. But hundreds of dollars is at stake for thousands of other Minnesotans.
January 11, 1999 - Next week Northwest Airlines will release it's final year end financial numbers for 1998. Northwest will be posting a loss expected to exceed 100 million dollars mainly because of labor turmoil. In 1997 the airline earned profits of almost 600 million dollars. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik spoke with Northwest CEO John Dasburg about the airline's problems last year and what lies ahead.
January 11, 1999 - MPR's Mark Zdechlik interviews John Dasburg, Northwest Airline's CEO, who looks back on the company's labor problems in 1998 and looks ahead to some of the issues facing the airline in the future. After Dasburg interview, Jon Austin, NWA spokesman, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten on issues affecting NWA, and answers listener questions.
December 31, 1998 - It has been a difficult year for employees and customers of Northwest Airlines. *A strike, preceded by months of deteriorating customer service. *Thousands of angry workers...thousands more furious customers and no indication 1999 will hold any improvement. Two of Northwest's largest unions are still without new contracts. And both are threatening to shut down the airline in 199 if their disputes are NOT resolved. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports... | D-CART ITEM:6495 | TIME:7:54 | OUTCUE: soc
December 31, 1998 - An MPR Special report, presenting the big Minnesota news stories of 1998. Highlights include Governor election, Comfrey and St. Peter tornado, farm crisis, mergers, the Northwest strike and the big tobacco trial. Program ends with brief remembrance segments on various individuals that made news in the year.
December 23, 1998 - Some of the region's top economists say the economy is showing several signs of a slow down moving into next year. And some economists say there is a possibility of a recession in the second half of 1999. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports... --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM:5884 | TIME: 404s | OUTCUE: soc --------------------------------------------------------- Wells Fargo Bank Chief Economist Sung Won Sohn says weak international markets from Asia to Latin American coupled with softening consumer demand in the United States will slow the US and Minnesota economies next year. Sohn is predicting fewer jobs will be created in Minnesot
December 12, 1998 - Our Voices of Minnesota series features Minneapolis astronaut Colonel Bob Cabana who is commanding the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which is set for launch Thursday morning to begin building the International Space Station. He speaks with MPR’s Mark Zdechlik. Program begins with NPR report on the mission of International Space Station.
December 3, 1998 - (UPDATE TO REFLECT LAUNCH SCRUB ETC!) TOP WITH LAUNCH TAPE!!!! The space shuttle Endeavour will lifted of early this morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Flordia carrying a key component of the new International Space Station. Minnesota has some interesting connections to the first of what will be dozens of shuttle flights associated with construction of the space station. Native son Bob Cabana is commanding the shuttle mission, making his fourth trip to space. And Minnesota-based Honeywell is one of the top contractors that's helping to build the research facility. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...