September 23, 1998 - Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator, talks about current issues facing congress, including a possible presidential impeachment proceeding, campaign finance reform, government appropriations and tax bills, farm legislation, and more. Wellstone shares his concern that congress has lost focus, and answers listener questions.
September 23, 1998 - South African president Nelson Mandela received the Congressional Gold Medal today, becoming the first African awarded the honor. Lawmakers cited Mandela for having dedicated his entire life to the abolition of apartheid and said he sacrificed his own personal freedom for the good of everyone. Mandela spent 27 years in prison before becoming president. A South African play set on the eve of Mandela's release from prison opens in Minneapolis tomorrow night. "Playland" by Athol Fugard explores the difficulties for blacks and whites of coming to terms with apartheid. The production is being staged by Pangea World Theater at the Hennepin Center for the Arts.
September 24, 1998 - Friends and family members gathered to remember the life of Muriel Humphrey Brown today. More than 500 people attended her memorial service at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. The wife of former Vice President Hubert Humphrey died Sunday at the age of 86. She was buried this morning in a private ceremony at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis . She is survived by her second husband, Max Brown, as well as her four children and other family members. Former Vice President Walter Mondale, a friend of the family for 50 years, offered one of the tributes at today's service.
September 24, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio's Kathryn Herzog reports on what one town is doing to address its own racism. During the Farm Crisis of the 1980's, many people moved away from rural Minnesota to find work in the city, leaving rural companies struggling with a small labor pool. As long time residents moved out, a few people of color, Hispanic and Hmong families moved in, looking for the rural lifestyle.
September 25, 1998 - With 1998 Major League Baseball season coming to a close, MPR’s William Wilcoxen looks at the gloomy outlook for Minnesota Twins as play on the field and empty seats in the Metrodome do not bode well for the future.
September 28, 1998 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles Paul Molitor, who may have played his last ballgame. The Minnesota native has played in the major leagues for 20 years, raking up statistics that many analysts say make him a shoo-in for the MLB’s Hall of Fame.
September 28, 1998 - Gubernatorial candidates Norm Coleman and Skip Humphrey exchanged fire over their respective budget plans today, accusing each other of bad money management. Coleman toured the state with Governor Arne Carlson. The Republican candidate promised to lower taxes if elected, and charged Humphrey with making too many campaign promises that cost money to keep. Humphrey made much the same charge about Coleman
September 29, 1998 - Our September installment of the MPR "Voices of Minnesota" series is a special baseball edition, with profiles of Minnesota baseball stars Paul Molitor and Kirby Puckett. MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki interviews Molitor and Jim Bickal interviews Puckett. Following interviews a conversation with sports commentator Howard Sinker and call-in from listeners.
October 1, 1998 - Midday presents the first general election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and broadcast from Brainerd Community College. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate. Topics include state surplus, taxes, healthcare, agriculture, education, and stadium funding.
October 1, 1998 - Another Health care company is pulling out of the Medicare market. Today Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it's dropping its Blue Plus Preferred Seniors Plan in the metro area. Two days ago, another Health Care giant, Medica, announced it was dropping its medicare HMO's in four counties. The Health care companies say the can't afford to provide the plans because federal reimbursement rates for Medicare patients are so low. Former Minnesota senator David Durenberger is now serving on a federal commission charged with solving the Medicare problem. He says Minnesota seniors who had these plans will still be able to see their regular doctor and go to their usual clinics and hospitals.