May 1, 1998 - One of the traditions of Mayday is delivering baskets of flowers to friends and neighbors. This year we're in luck: spring is ahead of schedule and even the lilacs are in bloom. For St. Paul writer Patricia Hampl, this is welcome news.
May 4, 1998 - Gubernatorial candidates Mike Freeman and Norm Coleman added to their victories in district convention straw polls over the weekend. Democrat Freeman overwhelmingly won the informal ballot in the Eighth District in Northern Minnesota, while D-F-L challenger Skip Humphrey won in the Seventh. Republican Norm Coleman continued to chalk up straw poll wins with the metro-area Fourth and Sixth Districts, but Joanne Benson and Allen Quist each took outstate wins. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes has this wrap-up of the weekend's district conventions. (ANNCR TAG: Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil and Mark Steil also contributed to this report) Mike Freeman's early union endorsements and years of wooing party insiders helped propel him to a commanding straw poll victor
May 4, 1998 - Joining us now to provide some analysis is Steven Schier, chair of the Carleton College Political Science Department. Sun 28-MAY 11:22:41 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 5, 1998 - On the day of the North Carolina public vote on baseball subsidies, MPR sports analyst Howard Sinker discusses it and the future of the Minnesota Twins. Sinker also answers listener questions. Programs begins with report from MPR's Martin Kaste in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
May 5, 1998 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports on RADIO REY, a Spanish-language radio service that broadcasts more than thirty hours a week from a grocery store on Concord Street in St. Paul’s West Side.
May 6, 1998 - The history of organized crime in the Twin Cities and the life of St. Paul's most notorious grandmother is the focus of a documentary tonight on the A&E Cable TV channel. For some 50 years, 'Ma' Barker has been known as the leader of the Barker-Karpis gang and the mastermind behind a series of local kidnappings and bank robberies in the 1930s. But St. Paul author Paul Maccabee contends Barker was framed by the FBI for crimes she never committed. Maccabee presented his theory in his 1995 book "John Dillinger Slept Here." He's also featured in tonight's documentary.
May 7, 1998 - Tobacco company attorneys present their closing arguments this morning in Saint Paul amidst rumors of settlement talks. Minnesota Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Skip Humphrey sounded like he'd prefer to settle Minnesota's tobacco trial but also said he's prepared to let the jury decide. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Humphrey spoke before an audience of public health professors at the University of Minnesota giving few clues as to whether he's close to settling the case. Settlement rumors have been flying since Monday when the St Paul Pioneer Press reported parties for the state, blue cross/blue shield and tobacco companies had outlined an agreement. That agreement reportedly called for the industry to pay five-billion-dollars over the next 25 years and submit to marketing restrictions to teenagers.
May 8, 1998 - Midday presents an MPR special on the tobacco settlement. Program includes report from MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki, followed by speeches and interviews from Skip Humphrey, Minnesota attorney general; Michael Ciresi, state's lead attorney; jurors, and others. A key component to settlement was the banning of tobacco marketing to children.
May 8, 1998 - Minnesota State Attorney General Skip Humphrey met with reporters and supporters this afternoon to outline some of the details of the tobacco settlement. Humphrey emphasized the elements of the agreement that are designed to reduce smoking among young people...... Minnesota Attorney General Skip Humphrey, speaking to reporters and supporters earlier this afternoon. Sun 28-MAY 11:19:21 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 11, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on a Minneapolis intersection once known for crime getting a big lift with the opening of a mercado, or marketplace. The city's burgeoning Spanish-speaking population is one of the factor's behind the creation of the business. Residents are welcoming the unusual development as the latest sign of economic revival on Lake Street.