June 4, 1998 - A half century of work on a craggy granite mountain in South Dakota's Black Hills has been unveiled. The massive Crazy Horse mountain carving celebrates its golden anniversary this year with the completion of the Sioux (Lakota) Warrior's face, and the carvers are now moving on to the horse's head. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
June 10, 1998 - MPR's Lynette Nyman reports from Owatonna, where there are fights breaking out between some of the new and the old residents. That includes clashes against Somali members of the community.
June 11, 1998 - The Juneteenth Film Festival, celebrating the Emancipation and African-American history, opens tonight in the Twin Cities with the first of six films. "Melvin Van Pebbles: Classified X", about the portrayal of blacks in film, will show at the Minnesota History Center at 7 o'clock. A lesser-known bit of African-American history, the rise of black newspapers is the subject of Director Stanley Nelson's film "Soldiers Without Swords: The Black Press." Nelson will present his documentary next Tuesday evening at the Weisman Art Museum. Nelson says even he was surprised at the power of the black press which grew out of a bitter relationship with the mainstream media.
June 11, 1998 - About forty percent of Minnesota's third and fifth graders are on track to pass the state's new graduation requirements. The Department of Children, Families and Learning today announced test scores for elementary students as part of Minnesotasota's graduation rule that requires periodic testing to ensure students will possess the skills to graduate. Third graders were tested on reading and math, and fifth graders had an additional section on writing. Kate Trewick, the assistant Commissioner for teaching and learning at CFL says the test results will be used as a starting point to chart progress.
June 12, 1998 - This weekend a music festival touted as the nation's largest outdoor vocal music concert makes its premiere in Central Minnesota. BIG SING U.S.A. is a two-day celebration of a capella music featuring national headliners including "The Bobs" and "Rockapella". Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann talked to two local groups showcasing their talent at the festival. The words "a capella" typically conjure images of barbershop quartets or four guys on a street corner, harmonizing 50's hits. But the style has moved far beyond its early roots. 90's Acapella groups blend ethnic rhythms, jazz harmonies and vocal percussion to create a decided
June 15, 1998 - On this Midday program: MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series continues, featuring in-depth interviews with musicians Romuald Tecco, longtime concertmaster of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Dominick Argento, the internationally known Minnesota composer.
June 23, 1998 - William Ivey, the new chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts, speaking to the American Symphony Orchestra League's National Conference in St. Paul. Ivey’s address was on government funding of NEA, and the organization’s future. Program continues MPR's Garrison Keillor speaking to the American Symphony Orchestra League's National Conference in St. Paul. Keillor provides humorous anecdotes on the future of the symphony orchestra.
June 30, 1998 - MPR’s Leif Enger interviews Marvin Rainwater, an American country/rockabilly singer and songwriter from the 1950’s, who’s been living the quiet life in Aitkin County, playing guitar and tending his dahlias.
June 30, 1998 - Ray Suarez, Host of NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”, speaking at a Minnesota Journalism Center forum on the craft of interviewing.
July 3, 1998 - MPR’s Stephanie Curtis talks with Gary Eichten about the summer movies. Asteroids, killers, and monsters make up a slew of summers releases. Commentary on “Armageddon”, “Truman Show”, “Out of Sight”, and “X-Files”. There is also a discussion on the top 100 films put out by AFI. Curtis also answers listeners questions.