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 22, 1998 - Rich Naistat of the National Weather Service in Chanhassen talks about the weather. Topics include summer, long days, dew points, global temperatures, and severe weather. Naistat also answers listener questions.
June 29, 1998 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on another round of June thunderstorms pounding the Twin Cities. Storms rumbled through the state on June 27th and 28th, damaging homes, trees, and power lines. The Saturday storm brought down trees in St. Paul’s historic Summit neighborhood.
June 29, 1998 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on multiple storms causing havoc in southeastern Minnesota. An uncommon weather scenario flooded homes and roads in a weekend filled with heavy rains, high winds and rapid-fire lightning in southeast Minnesota.
July 10, 1998 - One more house was demolished in St. Peter. It was old...built in the 1860's...and in need of restoration, but still, it was someone's home until the March 29th tornado. MPR's Lynette Nyman interviews the owner, Tom Gravelin, as she follows him through the recovery. His business is back up...while his home has finally come down. Frequently referred to as the 1998 Comfrey–St. Peter tornado outbreak, 14 tornadoes (including an F3 & F4) wrought destruction in southern Minnesota on March 29, 1998. More than 3,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed by the tornadoes. The towns of St. Peter and Comfrey were utterly devastated. Storms left two people dead and dozens injured.
July 20, 1998 - A severe thunderstorm moved through St. Peter July 20th, 1998, downing trees and damaging roofs, with winds of 60 miles an hour. MPR’s Lynette Nyman interviewed Tom Gravelin on the impact this has on his life and how he plans to rebuild.
August 26, 1998 - (Saint Paul Wednesday ATC) There is a general sense of contentment among Americans about the good state of the nation's economy. Yet, here in Minnesota, family farmers are said to be facing a crisis because of low crop prices and a series of natural disasters. It's an issue that's now become part of the governror's race. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen Louise Boothe reports: Fall Harvest begins in less than a month. Even though a BOUNTY is expected there's little optimism among some farmers because of low commodity prices. Democrats place the blame on the Republican-backed Freedom to Farm bill that phased out federal price subsidies. In this year's mid-term elections, they're
August 27, 1998 - Mark Seeley presents his annual weather quiz to the audience at the State Fair. Topics include history of State Fair weather, hurricanes, and upcoming winter. Seeley also answers audience questions.
September 3, 1998 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on the short and long term affects of a warming Lake Superior. While swimmers enjoy a comfortable swim in the usually frigid waters of Lake Superior, the conditions might help predict some troubling consequences should the region warm several degrees over the next decades.
September 8, 1998 - LEAD: Over the past year, the number of genetically engineered crops grown in Minnesota has increased dramatically. Soybeans, corn and wheat have all been genetically altered to withstand disease and pests. But a growing consumer movement is fighting to ban the foods from grocery store shelves. Mainstreet Radio's Kathryn Herzog reports. Minnesota Morris Experiment Station to view the latest variety of Roundup Ready soybeans.The beans were created by the Monsanto corporatio