According to two frustrating calls to Alltel I made yesterday and today, service is down for all Minnesotans. When I called yesterday and spoke to technical support, the representative was unable to tell me if I would receive any compensation for the time their service was down (she suggested I call customer service and ask them. “Aren’t I speaking to customer service?” I asked. “No, this is technical support.” Helpful.)
minnesota
This Mobil Station Hot Dog Promotion Is Confusing
The one for $2.39 looks richer, but the one for $1.99 seems bigger. Tough choice. Is a 44 oz drink worth $0.88 or $1.28?
![Minnesota Bans Mercury In Cosmetics](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/yikes.jpg?w=200&h=122&crop=1)
Minnesota Bans Mercury In Cosmetics
We weren’t really aware that there was a need for a law banning the use of mercury in cosmetics, but apparently Minnesota thinks there is.
![Taco Bell Fires 64 Year Old Grandmother Who Once Took A Bullet In A Robbery](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/hiringtacobell.jpg?w=300&h=221&crop=1)
Taco Bell Fires 64 Year Old Grandmother Who Once Took A Bullet In A Robbery
Winnie Shilson has worked for Taco Bell for 30 years. She has been robbed at gun point twice, and 9 years ago she took a bullet in the leg when a robber started shooting the Taco Bell’s safe. Winnie was fired recently, after two negative performance reviews. She’s convinced that Taco Bell wanted to rid themselves of her $45,000 a year salary.
“I bawled for three days after I got fired,” she says. “I was the most loyal, dedicated employee they could have. In 30 years, I never called in sick or was late to work. Not once! And I was good at my job. Damn good.”
![This Free Coffee Is Surprisingly Expensive](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/this-is-not-free-thumb.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
This Free Coffee Is Surprisingly Expensive
Dunce Dunn Bros Coffee is celebrating their newest location at the University of Minnesota by offering a coupon for a free medium coffee. For the price of a small.
![RIAA 1, Single Mom 0: RIAA Defendant Loses, Must Pay $222,000 For Allegedly Sharing 24 Songs](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/jury.jpg?w=200&h=100&crop=1)
RIAA 1, Single Mom 0: RIAA Defendant Loses, Must Pay $222,000 For Allegedly Sharing 24 Songs
The first RIAA jury trial has ended and the single mom accused of sharing 24 songs has been ordered to pay $222,000 by a jury of her peers.
![Target Matches Walmart's $9 Birth Control Pill Program](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/targetstore.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Target Matches Walmart's $9 Birth Control Pill Program
Attention women who like the idea of $9 birth control: Target has announced that they will be matching Walmart’s program. Target will also be matching the additions to the $4 generic program.
![Minnesota Sues Sprint, Customers Would Like To "Give Their CEO A Big Kick Right In The Patootie"](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/asskicker.jpg?w=176&h=99&crop=1)
Minnesota Sues Sprint, Customers Would Like To "Give Their CEO A Big Kick Right In The Patootie"
Hey, Gary Forsee!
![New Law Requires Minnesota Retailers To Purge Personal Information After Two Days](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/purge-that-personal-information.png?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
New Law Requires Minnesota Retailers To Purge Personal Information After Two Days
Minnesota retailers will soon be required by law to purge PIN numbers and credit card information after 48 hours. The new law, the the Plastic Card Safety Act, takes effect on Wednesday; beginning next year, the act will empower banks to sue retailers whose data-retention practices lead to a security breach. From the Star-Tribune:
Big Story In This Sunday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune…
Read this coming Sunday’s Minneapolis Star-Tribune. There’s gonna be a big story in there. About a company we’ve talked a lot about. We’ve been in close contact with the reporter. Some of it is following up and looking deeper into information you read here first. Pretty neat. Who said bloggers and journalists can’t be friends?
![DirecTV Installer Jokes That He's "Being Held Hostage," Dispatch Sends SWAT Team](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/directv21.jpg?w=180&h=125&crop=1)
DirecTV Installer Jokes That He's "Being Held Hostage," Dispatch Sends SWAT Team
Julie Pyle’s DirecTV installation was taking so long she decided to bake cookies for the installers. Sadly for Julie, the installation would not end with snack time. Julie was led at gunpoint out of her Savage, Minnesota home, ordered to the ground and handcuffed. Why? Her DirecTV installer had joked to his dispatcher that they were being “held hostage until they were done.”
6 Muslims Who Were Arrested On A Flight Sue Passengers For Reporting Them As Potential Terrorists
Now the 6 arrested passengers are suing their accusers. Boy, there was sure a whole lot of nasty racism going on that day. It’s hard to figure out who should sue who, isn’t it? Psst, the airline probably has more money. —MEGHANN MARCO
![New Penalties For Cab Drivers Who Refuse Fares On Religious Grounds](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/taxi1.jpg?w=158&h=105&crop=1)
New Penalties For Cab Drivers Who Refuse Fares On Religious Grounds
A large number of taxi drivers in the area of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are Muslim Somali immigrants. Many say they feel the faith’s ban on alcohol consumption includes transporting anyone carrying it.
![The Pantheon of American Consumerism, Reborn! Mall of America to Double in Size](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/mall-of-america.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
The Pantheon of American Consumerism, Reborn! Mall of America to Double in Size
The Mall of America, once the largest mall in the USA, and already chock full of retail with its 520 stores, will be doubling in size, in an effort to reclaim the title.