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August 22 - 26, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 |
Monday likely to provide major test in mechanics strike
Many people's gazes are turned skyward this morning to see how Northwest Airlines fares on the 3rd full day of its mechanics strike. The airline's schedule is ratcheting up after the weekend as business travelers take to the skies. Northwest's performance appeared strong on the whole at the onset of the strike, which began late Friday night. But as the weekend wore on, some problem spots started to emerge. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.
Northwest, union disagree about impact of strike
Today is the first weekday of the mechanic's strike at Northwest Airlines, and with it comes a new challenge for Northwest: Increased numbers of business travelers. The airline says it's been able to maintain "normal" operations since the strike began Friday night. The mechanic's union says the number of cancellations and delays has been higher than normal. The airline has declined to release specific performance data, and the official numbers may not be known until October when the Department of Transportation releases on-time statistics. That hasn't kept travel experts from monitoring the situation. Joining us on the line is Joe Brancatelli, who runs the website joesentme.com, a non-commercial website for business travelers.
U of M studying an ancient herbal remedy for hot flashes
A University of Minnesota doctor is studying whether an ancient Japanese medicine used to treat hot flashes is effective for American women going through menopause. The drug is made up of cinnamon, other herbs and an Asian mushroom. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
Markets with Chris Farrell
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the Northwest mechanics strike and other economic news.
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Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 |
Northwest says strike causes few problems
It is day four of the mechanics strike at Northwest Airlines, and a public relations battle is underway between the airline and the union over how well the company is weathering the effects of the strike. Union members walked off the job Friday night. The airline is currently using about 1,500 replacement workers and managers to fill in for the 2,900 striking mechanics. Gauging the success of the airline's operations so far depends on who you ask. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter reports.
Other Twin Cities airlines may benefit from NWA strike
Northwest Airlines says it expects to cancel four percent of its flights during the first week of its mechanic's strike. The airline's mechanics walked out Friday night. The 4 percent amounts to about 300 flights. The same week last year, Northwest canceled 125 flights. The cancellations and the fallout from the strike presents a new opportunity for other airlines. As Minnesota Public Radio's Bianca Vazquez Toness reports, another Twin Cities-based airline hopes to capitalize on Northwest's labor situation.
Independent researcher tracks Northwest flights
Independent researcher Joe Brancatelli has been monitoring Northwest Airlines' performance since the mechanics union announced its strike. He has been tracking 99 NWA flights during the strike and his results can be found online at: joesentme.com. He joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer to speak about the airline's performance through the first weekday during the strike.
St. Paul mayoral candidates debate
Three of the candidates for mayor of St. Paul offered their views on affordable housing, education, and downtown development in their first debate. Incumbent Randy Kelly, former city council member Chris Coleman and Green Party candidate Elizabeth Dickinson met Monday night. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
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Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005 |
Analysis shows plenty of flight delays as mechanics strike continues at Northwest
It is day five of the mechanics strike at Northwest Airlines, and the offices of Northwest's flight attendants' union is receiving hundreds of calls from members about the fallout from the strike. Flight attendants are telling their union that they're concerned about safety, saying replacement mechanics do not know how to make some repairs. Northwest says its replacements are "experienced, highly qualified professionals." Northwest also says its operations are running normally, but using a sample of almost 180 flights, an analysis by Minnesota Public Radio has found 68 percent of Northwest flights did not arrive on time Monday, the first business day of the mechanics strike. The result is slightly better than another widely-cited estimate, but quite a bit worse than the airline's performance in August a year ago. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
NWA strike affects economy
No talks are scheduled between Northwest and its mechanics union, which points towards a long strike. And the longer the strike goes, the more it could affect Minnesota's economy. Art Rolnick, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer to speak about the strike's economic impact.
"Twin Cities Album: A Visual History"
Through photographs and commentary, author Dave Kenney offers a virtual tour through 150 years of events in the book, "Twin Cities Album, A Visual History." Dave Kenney speaks with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
Open Ears: John Munson
Open Ears is an ongoing series of audio features that explores how contemporary musicians' listening habits shape their music-making. John Munson has been a key figure in some of the most popular and influential rock bands in Twin Cities music history. But the music he's most immersed in is thousands of years old and originates from a place thousands of miles away. The Open Ears series is produced by Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts.
Cruising with A Prairie Home Companion
It has been a busy summer for the cast and crew of A Prairie Home Companion. The group recently finished shooting a movie based the radio show. Now some of the cast, including host Garrison Keillor, is on a cruise boat, along with fans of the show. The ship left Boston on Saturday, and is sailing around Nova Scotia. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer caught up with Garrison this morning on board the MS Maasdam.
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Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005 |
Crime pushes to front of mayoral issues in Minneapolis
Crime, as an issue, looms large in the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Candidates offered their visions for dealing with public safety issues during a sometimes contentious debate Wednesday night. Organizers invited Mayor R.T. Rybak, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McGlaughlin, and Green Party candidate Farheen Hakeem to the forum, but before it was over a fourth candidate forced his way onto the stage. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Crash in Mosul kills Minnesota soldier
The mother of Pfc. Elden Arcand says he enlisted in the Army so others would not have to serve. His Forest Lake family learned Monday the 22 year old was killed in Iraq. He is the 26th Minnesotan to die as a result of injuries sustained in the war. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Period of strike limbo leaves lingering questions
Many observers of the mechanics strike at Northwest Airlines do not see it ending anytime soon. As the two sides hunker down for what could be a long period of limbo, there are many lingering questions - including how long it could last, and whether Northwest can simply leave the striking union behind. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich looks at the possibilities.
Continued NWA performance analysis
The latest Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) analysis of the on time performance of Northwest Airlines since its mechanics went on strike shows the airline's flights were 47 percent on time Tuesday. MPR sampled 178 of approximately 1,500 flights Northwest flew on that day. The government defines on time as being no more than 14 minutes late. One year ago, Northwest's on time performance was more than 80 percent. Regional airports are reporting a smattering of canceled flights since Northwest mechanics walked off the job last Friday. But, for the most part, there have been no major disruptions reported to air service in cities like Duluth, MN; Fargo, ND; or Sioux Falls, SD. The biggest fallout so far might be in Duluth, where 350 mechanics are out of work and on the picket line. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
New food at State Fair
There is some competition for the traditional mini donuts - mini cinnamon rolls. Denny and Barb Smith of MacGregor, MN, are among a handful of first-time food vendors at the fair, some of whom waited years to get a spot. They are selling their cinnamon rolls out of a colorful 28-foot trailer near the Pet Center at the very end of the fairgrounds. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with the Smiths to find out what it is like to finally land a coveted spot as a food vendor at the fair. Barb Smith says getting set up has been quite an experience.
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Friday, Aug. 26, 2005 |
NWA mechanics' families strain during strike
Emotions are running high for mechanics union members and their families as the union's strike rolls into its 7th full day. Some union members say they are struggling to hold things together, emotionally and financially.
Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has one family's story.
American Express spin-off plans to pay for loyalty
When Ameriprise Financial spins off from American Express next month, some people could get big money to stick around. Ameriprise Financial is offering three of its top executives a total of $1.3 million to stay with the company. It is part of an estimated $175 million the company will pay out to keep people on board. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal. She joins Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer this morning.
A cinematic elegy on love, made possible by a moustache
A mustache can be a very important thing, just ask Hong Kong film actor Tony Leung. He is known to U.S. action movie fans for his parts in "Hero," "Infernal Affairs," and "Hard Boiled." For the arthouse crowd he is known for "Chunking Express" and "In the Mood for Love." His latest film, "2046," opens in the Twin Cities this weekend. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he could not have done it without some facial hair.
Weekend Forecast
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.
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