November 21, 1996 - R. J. Brown, Minnesota state commissioner of Department of Economic Security, discusses a research study that shows 70% of women in state are a part of workforce.
November 27, 1996 - MPR’s Leif Enger interviews Mary McGowan, owner of Trocano’s restaurant, about opening the doors to local community for Thanksgiving.
December 2, 1996 - Economist Dean Ramos comments on the business health of Dayton’s department store and the possibility of being sold.
December 4, 1996 - The Minnesota Twins say their financial losses continued to mount in 1996, reinforcing the need for a new ballpark. Team officials revealed their latest figures while renewing their pitch for a stadium before the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
December 6, 1996 - Negotiations in the federal mediation of the Boundary Waters issue are taking some time off after 14 non-consecutive days of negotiations. After months of discussion it seems there are still large disagreements over basic issues. In fact, one of the participants, Bill Hansen, a second generation canoe outfitter, has proposed just sticking with the status quo.
December 19, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Farrell talks about the controversy over adjusting the Consumer Price Index and the economic, political, and personal finance implications of these changes. Dale Jorgenson, professor of economics department at Harvard University and a member of the Commission which concluded that the CPI overstates inflation; and Judith Brown, former president of AARP, join Farrell to discuss CPI.
December 23, 1996 - Midday presents a Voices of Minnesota program, highlighting conversations with businessman Fred Myers, who started a St. Paul company that employs chronic alcoholics; and Roberta Davis, one of Minnesota's foremost jazz vocalists.
December 31, 1996 - John Kingrey, senior vice president of Minnesota Hospital and Health Care Partnership, comments on the finalization of Fairview/University of Minnesota merger.
January 6, 1997 - Midday guests Peter Hart and Bill McInturff, national polling experts, answer questions about polling and talk about their new poll of Minnesota business leaders' opinions on dozens of issues, covering everything from Governor Carlson and taxes, to a stadium for the Twins and the quality of education.
January 9, 1997 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Minnesota Twins release of stadium proposal. State lawmakers now know it will cost upwards of $200 million to ensure the Twins remain in Minnesota. The team announced it would contribute $83 million of the estimated $350 million needed to build a new ballpark. Though the public would have to come up with the rest, it would get something no other community has…a 49% ownership interest in the team.