Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
February 23, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten speaks with St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, who previews his State of the City Address. Coleman discusses the current conditions and future prospects for the city of St. Paul. Topics include local crime, riverfront development, taxes, and reinvestment. Coleman also answers listener questions.
March 5, 1996 - On precinct caucus day, Midday speaks with Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. Guests include Bert McKasy, attorney and former state commerce commissioner; Roy Terwilliger, bank president; and Steve Young, attorney former dean at Hamline University Law School. The candidates discuss their views and and running against DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone. They also answer listener questions.
March 5, 1996 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews Eugene McCarthy on Democrat caucus history and his concern of how they are controlled through ongoing rule changes. McCarthy also discusses the Republican presidential campaign and quotes a poem.
March 21, 1996 -
March 28, 1996 - Midday discusses the 1996 Education Bill and changes in public education with guests DFL State Senator Larry Pogemiller, the chair of the Senate Education Committee; and Republican State Senator Gen Olson. Guests also answer listeners questions.
March 28, 1996 - Martin Sabo, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th District, shares his opposition on Congress passage of a line-item veto ability for a U.S. President.
April 2, 1996 - The defense has rested its case in the federal fraud trial of State Senator Skip Finn. Finn and two other tribal officials are charged with embezzling more than one-million-dollars from a self-insurance fund that Finn set-up for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
April 3, 1996 - State Senator Ted Mondale comments on decision at State Capitol to expand existing Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, rather than building a new one at another site.
April 12, 1996 - Midday presents "Renewing the Social Contract,” a special three-hour program that looks at the issue of economic insecurity across the country as society moves into the information age.
April 13, 1996 - A federal jury has found State Senator Harold Skip Finn guilty on 12 of 22 felony counts yesterday. Finn and two tribal officials of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe were accused of stealing more than one-million-dollars from the Band's self-insurance fund and conspiring to defraud the Government.