March 8, 2002 - - Supporters of the Northstar commuter rail line were confident with support from Governor Jesse Ventura, a line from St. Cloud to Minneapolis would happen. They're still hoping the legislature will offer full funding for the project this session. Northstar officials say they need 120 million dollars. But the proposed House bonding bill gives no money to the project. And the Senate's version of the bill only includes 8 million dollars. Legislators say it's likely some money will go toward the Northstar in the next few weeks. But some doubt it will be 120 million dollars. Northstar supporters say if they don't get full funding this year, the project could be dead. They also accuse lawmakers of using Northstar as a political bargaining chip against one of the project's biggest supporters, the Governor. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports. <
February 26, 2002 - When it comes to the future of Fingerhut, the only thing St. Cloud city leaders can do now is wait. There is a letter of intent on the bargaining table. Peter Lytle and a group of investors say they are taking the first steps toward buying the catalog company. Lytle is one of a number of investors who have shown interest in Fingherhut. Lytle has said if Fingerhut turns out to be a good deal for his group, he could finish the deal as early as next week. St. Cloud city leaders say the economic health of their community relies on a successful sale of Fingerhut. They've offered up millions of dollars in tax breaks to help seal a deal. They say it's an investment that will pay off. But some economists say using any public money to help large corporations is risky. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report. <
February 8, 2002 - MPR’s Tim Post reports that St. Cloud will host its first film festival. A newly formed Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Allies group is sponsoring the free festival. The group hopes the series of films followed by discussions will educate the St. Cloud community about issues of sexuality. Festival organizers say it won't be an activist event, but they hope it will help change some opinions in St. Cloud.
January 17, 2002 - More than half of Fingerhut's Minnesota-based employees work at the company's Saint Cloud facility. Fingerhut is St. Cloud's largest employer with nearly 27-hundred workers. Employees at the plant say they're surprised and dissapointed that Fingerhut's parent company plans to shut down the catalog business. And city leaders in St. Cloud say the company's departure presents a huge economic challenge for the community. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
January 15, 2002 - Six stories up, an art restoration team sways on scaffolding but works with steady hands to restore a mural at St. John's University in Collegeville. The mural is considered one of the most detailed paintings of it's kind in the U.S. St. John's officials say it's more than decorative art. It represents the school's Benedictine tradition and beliefs. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
January 8, 2002 - Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Melanie Benjamin, says the community is being threatened. Benjamin gave her annual state of the band address today (Tuesday). And while Benjamin shared several successes, she also addressed challenges the band faces. Among them, a potential lawsuit against the tribe by Mille Lacs County. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
January 8, 2002 - City leaders in the small western Minnesota town of Bird Island want to resurrect a lake that was drained 100 years ago. They say restoring Pelican Lake will help the environment and bring more wildlife, tourists and economic development to their community. But some landowners are fighting the idea. They say it won't give them lakefront property, but the view of a swamp. They're afraid the shallow lake will breed mosquitoes, flood basements and lower property values.
December 26, 2001 - FOR USE WED ATC This fall the owners of a hardware store in the small western Minnesota town of Hoffman tried to give away their business through an essay contest. Essay contest giveaways surged in popularity in the early 1990's. Some people still see them as an easy alternative to get rid of a home, farm or business that might be hard to sell. But state law enforcement officials essay say contests are illegal in Minnesota and have been for years. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
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December 17, 2001 - Minnesota's unusually warm weather this fall has been tough on the state's resorts. Ice fishermen are staying home because most of the state's lakes are still not frozen. Some small lakes in the northern third of the state are ice covered. But on Lake Mille Lacs conditions haven't been right for a freeze. Usually by this time, the lake would be frozen, with icehouses dotting it's surface. As Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports, resort owners on the big lake hope for a cold snap soon, so they can salvage what's left of their winter business.