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July 1 - 5, 2002
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Monday, July 1, 2002 |
Welfare cutoff looms for some
As of today about one thousand Minnesota families reach the five-year limit on their welfare benefits. Over half will get more time. Even those who are cut off from their cash benefits will still get food stamps and medical coverage. But there is concern that some of these families may become homeless without money to pay their rent. Some state and county officials say they won't know the impact of the deadline until perhaps months from now.
Business ethics in Minnesota
Misconduct by some of the nation's largest companies has sparked a crisis in confidence in American business. Now business executives and others say it's time to recommit to the principles of ethical business. For guidance, it turns out Minnesota is a good place to start.
Fireworks for sale
Thanks to the recent repeal of a 1941 state law, Minnesotans can now purchase and light sparkles, snakes, and cones. In other words, non-aerial, non-explosive fireworks are now legal. As fireworks season comes to a peak later this week, their brightly colored packaging can be found everywhere from gas stations to local grocers. Many communities are trying to understand the new regulations. But for local officials in Winona, the firework dilemma is nothing new.
Three Minnesota Twins headed to All-Star Game
Minnesota Twins' outfielder Torii Hunter, pitcher Eddie Guardado and catcher A.J. Pierzynski have made the American League roster for next week's All-Star Game in Milwaukee. Hunter is the first Twin since Kirby Puckett in 1995 to be voted a starter. The Twins are halfway through their season, and are in first place in the American League Central, six games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. They are 46-36 after beating the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday 4-3 at the metrodome. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell talks about how corporate misconduct is affecting the markets.
Future Tense
Over one billion personal computers have now been sold.
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Tuesday, July 2, 2002 |
Teamsters take over NWA local
Teamsters president James P. Hoffa has put Local 2000, which represents more than 11,000 Northwest Airlines flight attendants, under trusteeship. Hoffa installed Mollie Reiley as trustee of Local 2000, replacing its president and executive board. Hoffa says the old leadership failed to fight an attempt by some union members who want to leave the Teamsters and form a union called the Professional Flight Attendants Association. Joining us on the line is Peter Rachleff, Associate Professor of Labor at Macalester College.
Government looking for screeners
The Federal Government is holding a job fair this week for federal screeners at the Twin Cities airport. The government will eventually employ more than one thousand screeners and administrators at the airport as it takes over security from the airlines.
Wellstone wants medical devices on a faster FDA track
U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone says he's working on legislation that would speed up the FDA approval process for medical devices. Wellstone and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd held a forum on the issue yesterday at Medtronic, Minnesota's largest medical device company.
Former Medtronic CEO critical of corporate misconduct
WorldCom shares fell 90 percent yesterday as the Nasdaq Stock Market announced plans to remove the shares from trading this Friday. WorldCom is facing fraud charges over its admission that it hid nearly four billion dollars in expenses on its books. Shareholders have filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court saying they paid artificially inflated prices for the stock. The federal government has said it may stop contracting with the telecommunications company.
Bill George, former CEO of Minnesota-based Medtronic, says Worldcom's financial misconduct, along with other corporate giants like Enron and Xerox, has weakened investor confidence and hurt the business community as a whole.
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Wednesday, July 3, 2002 |
Gophers sanctioned in women's basketball scandal
The National Collegiate Athletic Association imposed new sanctions on the University of Minnesota for rule violations that occurred under former women's basketball coach Cheryl Littlejohn. But the penalties announced yesterday were relatively mild by NCAA standards, and were not nearly as harsh as they could have been under a worst case scenario. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
University of Minnesota names finalist for athletic director
The University of Minnesota has named Chisholm native Joel Maturi as its only finalist for director of its men's and women's athletic department. Maturi is currently the athletic director at Miami University of Ohio. School officials said yesterday that Maturi has the qualifications to run the athletics department and will place an emphasis on both men's and women's athletics, the athletic department's budget and academic and athletic performance. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Finalist for University of Minnesota athletic director speaks
Cathy Wurzer talked with Joel Maturi, the only finalist for director of the University of Minnesota's men's and women's athletic department.
Former Medtronic CEO optimistic about company's future
Medical device maker Medtronic has received approval from the federal government to market a new product designed to help fuse together bones in the lower back. The device is called the InFuse Bone Graft. It's a sponge that is soaked in a protein that jump-starts bone growth. The sponge is placed in a small titanium cage that surgeons implant into the patient's spine. New products like InFuse are the reason why Medtronic's future is looking good, despite looming competition from bio-medical technology, according to Bill George, former CEO of the company. In part 2 of our interview with George, he says Fridley-based Medtronic will continue to be leader in expanding the application of medical technology inside the human body.
Minnesota-made films featured at Taste of Minnesota
Most people go to the Taste of Minnesota to see the fireworks, or eat the food. But how about catching a movie? Starting tomorrow, the SMMASH Film Festival will showcase Minnesota-made movies at the Taste of Minnesota. It'll also have the only air-conditioned tent on the state capitol grounds. John Swann is founder and director of the Southern Minnesota Movies and Short Hits Film Festival. He says the idea is to give people a "taste" of Minnesota films.
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Thursday, July 4, 2002 |
More security in Minnesota for the 4th of July
Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota are on alert today. The FBI has issued a general warning for the Fourth of July holiday. The agency says terrorists may chose to act on Independence Day because of its "political and cultural significance." Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
Helping bald eagles thrive
A Minnesota research project may help get the bald eagle off the endangered species list. Any state with a bald eagle population needs a plan to monitor and protect the birds. Learning where eagles nest may help protect the habitat they need to flourish. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Resort industry losing mom-and-pop resorts
The mom and pop resort -- that staple of Minnesota lake life -- is becoming harder to find. Since 1970, the number of resorts in Minnesota has dropped by more than 50 percent. Industry observers say the main reason is the cost of lakeshore real estate. A price boom has made it more lucrative for small resort owners to sell their property than stay in business. As Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports, the phenomenon is changing the way tourists vacation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
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Friday, July 5, 2002 |
Some Minnesota resorts getting bigger to survive
For many Minnesota families, small resorts just don't cut it anymore. Families on vacation are looking for all the comforts of home. Resort owners say their guests are demanding more activities and better accommodations. They say growing bigger is the only way to provide guests with what they want, and stay profitable. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
Minnesota roadside fireworks won't blow you away
When the Minnesota Legislature legalized some types of fireworks this year, it set the stage for the arrival of an American institution long missing from the Land of Lakes: the roadside fireworks stand. For just a few more days, the entrepreneurial spirit will live on as self-starting salespeople hawk their remaining sparklers, fountains, and whippersnappers. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
Plans for a development near light rail line
A St. Paul-based development group wants to build what's expected to be the largest mixed-use development on the Hiawatha Light Rail line. That line will connect downtown Minneapolis with the Twin Cities international airport and the Mall of America in Bloomington. Minnesota Public Radio's Cathy Wurzer talked with Scott Smith, who covered the story for today's edition of the "The Business Journal." Smith says this would be the largest project ever for McGough Development, and its size was influenced by the light rail line.
A steamy start to July
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses the weather.
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