January 7, 2000 - Minnesota House Republicans are proposing a Privacy Bill of Rights for Minnesotans. Republicans want to stop state government agencies from selling mailing lists, and force telemarketers to register with the state. The proposal drew criticism from DFL state attorney general Mike Hatch. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports. Republican house majority leader Tim Pawlenty says the electronic exchange of personal data can be frightening.
February 24, 2000 - Sam Grabarski, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council; and Steve Cramer, executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency discuss downtown Minneapolis and what to do with "Block E."
March 30, 2000 - On this Midday, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson talks about charges his administration was improperly involved in the threat to move the Twins and gain a new ballpark. Program also includes a talk with Twins President Jerry Bell.
May 24, 2000 - Randy Johnson, Hennepin County board chairman; and Rick Kruger, CEO of "is.com", discuss results of the first annual "Regional Opportunity Forecast.” Report was put together by a group of business, education and civic leaders called The Great North Alliance. Johnson and Kruger are members of the group, and answer listener questions. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
May 24, 2000 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Walter Mondale, former U.S. ambassador to Japan and former vice-president, on congressional bill that would allow China permit normal trade status. Following Mondale interview, David Foster, director of the NW quadrant of states for the United Steelworkers of America, shares his view on the bill and its impact.
May 25, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura stops by MPR to talk with host Midday host Gary Eichten and answer listener call-in questions. Topics include mining, NWA, governmental roles, education, hemp, and trade.
June 26, 2000 -
June 26, 2000 - A strike by Twin Cities hotel workers has spread to a seventh area hotel. Members of the hotel employees local 17 walked off the job this morning City officials say they hope to push the two sides into an agreement before Thursday, when 50 thousand people will come to town for an international Alcoholics Anonymous convention. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
June 28, 2000 - The hotel workers' strike mirrors recent janitors' strikes in Chicago and Los Angeles. Sophia Koropetckyj {KOR-roo-PET-skee} is a senior economist who follows labor issues for RFA Dismal Sciences, an economic consulting firm based in West Chester Pennsylvania: She says unions recognize the time is right for low-paid service workers to demand their fair share of America's growing prosperity:
June 29, 2000 - Striking hotel workers have voted overwhelmingly to approve the tentative contract agreement reached by union and hotel management negotiators yesterday (Wednesday). The vote ends the almost two-week old strike that disturbed operations at seven twin cities hotels and threatened to disrupt the Twin Cities largest-ever convention. After weeks of sometimes acrimonious negotiations and picketing, both the and the hotels management say they got what they wanted. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.