October 28, 1994 - On this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Minnesota writer Susan Carol Hauser reads an essay on Halloween and the “ghosts” that appear.
October 28, 1994 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Duluth author Beatrice Ojakangas about her book "Beatrice Ojakangas' Great Holiday Baking Book." Ojakangas describes how her Finnish background plays into her baking and provides numerous recipe tips.
October 31, 1994 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik visits the newly re-opened Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis. After decades of use by the railroad, the bridge has been renovated into a bicycle and pedestrian pathway. The hope is to create a safe walking/biking corridor option for those crossing Mississippi River. For the new arrivals on the historical stone architectural landmark, the views are worth the trip alone.
November 17, 1994 - MPR’s Lorna Benson reports on the official sanctioning of girls hockey in Minnesota high schools. Many players and coaches see it as something long overdue.
November 18, 1994 - MPR’s Marlena Benzie-Lourey reports on a forum to discuss solutions in reducing and eventually phasing out mercury in Lake Superior basin. The forum is made up of industry representatives and environmentalists from the U.S. and Canada.
December 16, 1994 - Midday presents a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Sauk Center. The program highlights various aspects of juvenile justice. MPR’s Rachel Reabe interviews three teenagers incarcerated at Sauk Center. Following interviews, MPR’s Catherine Winter hosts a discussion with Larry Smith, program director at Sauk Center; Tom Van Engen, I-R legislator from Spicer; and Freddie Davis, chair of state female offender task force.
March 20, 1995 - Mainstreet Radio’s reports on concerns of some Ely parents on students leaving during school day to attend church programs. While voluntary, these residents feel that education and church activities should not be connected. Those concerns don’t sit well with some in the community, who see religious release time as completely acceptable.
March 27, 1995 - With Governor Arne Carlson’s desire to reduce state aid to local governments, Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports that small towns like Winona are being put in a bind. Local officials feel that state government should make staff and program cuts, rather than cutting municipal funds. They also recommend reducing waste, something cities feel they have already addressed.
April 24, 1995 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on a proposal to use parts of Camp Ripley as a prison site to assist in easing overcrowding issues in the state prison system. Local opinion seems open to the idea.
September 18, 1995 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on Project Grow, a program focused on developing food planting and produce services as a way to counter the growing issue of diabetes in Native American communities. It’s a callback to traditional ways regarding food and preparation.