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June 16 - 20, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, June 16, 2003 |
Taking the "temp" of the economy
Temporary work may not rank high in prestige, but economists keep a close eye on temps for signs that the economy is recovering. When companies expect to grow, they often hire temporary workers before adding to their full-time staff. This month federal labor officials were heartened by a jump in temporary employment on the national level. In Minnesota the temp market may also be starting a mild recovery. But some wonder whether more temporary jobs are such a good sign after all. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
U of M holds roundtable on HOV lanes
Drivers who use highway 394 to get into and out of downtown Minneapolis may soon pay to use the so-called sane lanes if they choose. A new state law will allow motorists, driving by themselves, to use the carpool lanes for a fee. Lawmakers and transportation officials will gather at the University of Minnesota today to discuss that new law. DFLer Ann Rest authored the legislation in the Minnesota Senate, and she'll be at today's meeting.
Minneapolis Library to hold hearings on cuts
Tomorrow night, the Minneapolis Public Library Board will hold the first in a series of public meetings about proposed service cuts. The library system will need to cut 20 percent from its budget next year, due in part to the Legislature's decision to reduce Local Government Aid. Library officials want input from the public. Kit Hadley is the director of the Minneapolis Public Library, and she's on the line now.
Winner of think-off says we reap what we sow
We do reap what we sow. That's the argument that won this year's Great American Think-off in New York Mills, Minnesota. Brad Buschette, a 35-year-old stay-at-home Dad from Prescott, Wisconsin, beat out three other finalists this past weekend with his thoughts on the question. Each year, hundreds of contestants submit essays to argue their points, and the audience chooses a winner from among the finalists. Brad Buschette joins us now.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economic Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news.
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Tuesday, June 17, 2003 |
Listings not yet available.
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Wednesday, June 18, 2003 |
Roundy's enters tough Twin Cities grocery market
Grocery shoppers are sampling the changes Roundy's has made to 30 Twin Cities Rainbow Foods stores. Earlier this month, Wisconsin-based Roundy's acquired the stores from Fleming Companies in a bankruptcy auction. Roundy's is taking on a market where the competition is expected to keep getting tougher. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Columnist says Selig had right idea: contract Twins
Bud Selig had the right idea. The Twins should be contracted, or so says a sports columnist for the Rocky Mountain News. Tracy Ringolsby recently published an article looking at the Twins attendance figures. He says the team is drawing some of the smallest crowds in the league, and there's no good excuse for that. Dave St. Peter, with the Minnesota Twins, is on the line now.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to visit state
Later this week, President Bush is scheduled to visit the Twin Cities to highlight the importance of recent tax cuts. On Friday, many of his Democratic presidential rivals will be in St. Paul to deliver remarks to a meeting of top Democratic officials from all across the country. But sandwiched between those two events, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will visit for a symposium on domestic security issues. The Department of Homeland Security is in the midst of distributing more than $4 billion to the states. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is distributing the money that's sent here to local governments. Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek joins us on the line this morning.
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Thursday, June 19, 2003 |
President Bush to visit Twin Cities
President George W. Bush is scheduled to give a speech in suburban Minneapolis today to tout his administration's work to revive the economy. The White House says President Bush will talk about the importance of small businesses to the nation's economy at Fridley-based Micro Control Company. The Republican president's visit comes the same day that Democratic party leaders from around the country arrive in the Twin Cities for meetings where they will hear from several of the Democrats vying for the White House. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Gun law causes flurry of action
Budget cuts are a major concern at this year's League of Minnesota Cities Conference in St. Cloud. But officials are also expected to discuss the impact of the state's new concealed-carry handgun law. That law is getting attention from many county officials, too. The Hennepin County Board voted last week to ban guns from all county buildings. And Ramsey County is expected to approve a plan next week that would make it a misdemeanor to bring a gun into county buildings, parks, and beaches. Hamline University law professor Joe Olson was one of the architects of the concealed-carry law. He joins us now.
Northwest lays off more workers, cites SARS
Northwest Airlines is laying off another 150 aircraft mechanics, most of them in the Twin Cities. The airline is technically eliminating nearly 700 positions in response to a drop in travel caused by the SARS virus. But most of those mechanics will still have work as a result of new jobs Northwest is creating at Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports on the airline's latest effort to cut costs.
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Friday, June 20, 2003 |
President Bush talks tax cuts in Fridley
President George W. Bush traveled to Minnesota yesterday to highlight the tax cuts he recently signed into law. The president spoke to about 2,000 people at an electronics manufacturing firm in Fridley. He said the tax relief package will help Micro Control Company and other small businesses create jobs. Economic issues could be crucial in the president's re-election bid. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
National Democrats coming to St. Paul
Six of the nine prominent Democratic presidential candidates are expected to address a gathering of party officials in St. Paul today. The event comes just one day after President George W. Bush appeared in the Twin Cities to promote the latest round of federal tax cuts. Democratic leaders say their annual summer meeting will provide a valuable forum for evaluating their candidates. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Minnesota may be swing state politically
Democrats vying for the White House will speak in St. Paul today in front of party leaders from across the country. Their meeting comes on the heels of a visit by President George W. Bush, who was in Fridley yesterday touting the benefits of his recently-passed tax plan. Democrats say the president's trip was intended to divert attention from their candidates, but both trips suggest that Minnesota may be an important state in the 2004 presidential election. Joining us now is Chris Gilbert, professor of political science at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Homeland Secretary Tom Ridge in St. Paul
The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge told a St. Paul audience last night that safety doesn't just come from Washington, but from the efforts of states, cities and counties. Ridge delivered the keynote address at a symposium that attracted about 300 Minnesota public safety business, and government leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
New real estate company makes Twin Cities inroads
The dominant real estate agencies in the Twin Cities have their eye on a new rival. Keller Williams is making inroads after arriving in the Twin Cities' in early 2002. It's beginning to challenge Edina Realty, Coldwell Banker, and ReMax which together control 2/3 of the residential real estate market in the Twin Cities. Reporter Sam Black writes about Keller Williams in this week's edition of The Business Journal .
Meteorolgist Mark Seeley's weather commentary
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley stops by Morning Edition with his weather commentary. This week, he discusses the summer solstice, weather for Grandma's marathon, and the weather for the Grand Excursion of 1854.
Duluth bookstore uses Harry Potter to compete
A train will pull into an old Duluth depot at midnight tonight, stacked full of Harry Potter books. The train is part of a release party for the new and much-awaited, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Bookstores throughout the state are planning special events. But big stores, like Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, can offer large discounts on the book. That leaves independent booksellers to come up with creative ways to compete. Anita Zager is the owner of the Northern Lights Books and Gifts in Duluth, which is holding its release in the old depot, and she's on the line now.
Kevin Cole talks to Classical Music host Mindy Ratner
One of the foremost interpreters of the music of George Gershwin takes the stage in Minneapolis this weekend. Pianist Kevin Cole will play concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra tonight and tomorrow. He told Minnesota Public Radio Classical Music host Mindy Ratner he became a Gershwin fan at a very early age.
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