December 15, 1998 - Students who say they're concerned about cuts in financial aid, cheered as Governor-elect Jesse Ventura told them they should pay for college themselves. Ventura told students at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park that they'll enjoy their education more if they earn it. MPR’s Tim Pugmire interviews a couple students after event to get their take.
December 24, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports on Wings of Mercy, a program based in St. Cloud that assists with the challenges of rural Minnesotans in finding medical care. A group of amateur pilots volunteer their time to fly rural low-income patients to hospitals in larger cities...and they do all their work for free.
December 24, 1998 - On this Midday program, a presentation stories of the holiday…including Bob Potter reading "How The Grinch Stole Christmas", Kate Smith reading "The Fir Tree", Dan Olson reading the letter in the Sun Newspaper--"Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus;" the late Dave Moore reading "James Thurber"; and Greta Cunningham reading "A Brooklyn Christmas."
December 30, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on that Governor-elect Jesse Ventura spoke to reporters about his agenda for the 1999 legislative session, which begins next week. But Ventura did NOT get very specific, and he stopped short of presenting a short list of his legislative goals.
December 31, 1998 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on Governor-elect Jesse Ventura meeting with "disenchanted voters." Ventura met with thirteen randomly selected Minnesotans who voted for the first time, or for the first time in several years, to understand what worked to draw voters out this year and what would keep them engaged in the future.
December 31, 1998 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Minnesota lawmakers who've argued for less government regulation say 1999 could finally be the year they claim success. With a Republican-controlled House and a new Governor who campaigned on the issue, legislation cutting regulations may fare better than in previous sessions.
December 31, 1998 - The sweepstakes for “Biggest Minnesota News Story” of 1998’ is no contest. Jesse Ventura's upset victory in the race for Governor was such a shock, his success caught almost everybody by surprise…the media, the political parties, and especially his opponents. MPR's Martin Kaste looks back on Ventura's rise.
December 31, 1998 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Karlyn Campbell, a professor of speech communication at the University of Minnesota, about the role of first ladies.
January 1, 1999 - Mainstreet Radio's Kathryn Herzog pays a visit to one small town butcher shop, where business is making for some long days. Business at meat markets and butcher shops across the state is booming during holiday season. With pork prices as low as they've been in more than twenty five years, sales of pork are on the rise.
January 18, 1999 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on Madeline Island’s Windsled. Fewer than 200 people live year 'round on the Island just off the southern shore of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin. While island life revolves around the mainland ferry schedule most of the year, islanders can drive across the ice during the depths of winter….but for a few weeks each year, the trip to shore has to be made in the island's unique water transportation vehicle.