January 1, 1996 - On this Voices of Minnesota segment, MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Black businessman, activist, and minister Oscar Howard. The two talk about Howard’s experience in building his business Howard’s Catering Co., and public service efforts.
January 30, 1996 - MPR’s Richard Sprouse reports on killing of St. Joseph officer Brian Klinefelter, and it’s aftermath on the local community. Klinefelter was shot and killed following an armed robbery of a liquor store in Albany.
February 23, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on new prison in Waseca, Minnesota. The former college campus has been developed into a low security federal correctional institution, but not without concerns from some local residents who see it as detrimental to community and property values.
March 4, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe reports on various citizen police academies starting up throughout the state. Reabe interviews citizens and law enforcement officials about the purpose and results of experience.
March 12, 1996 - A Midday call-in program about the proposals to expand the Twin Cities International Airport, or build a new one. Studio guests are two members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, John Himle from Bloomington; and Steve Cramer from Minneapolis.
March 26, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger profiles Wahkon, a small community at the south end of Lake Mille Lacs, where there is an authentic small-town renewal driven by a combination of optimism and fear.
April 1, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with John Labosky, the president of The Capital City Partnership, about the newly created organization’s plans for revitalizing downtown St. Paul.
April 3, 1996 - State Senator Ted Mondale comments on decision at State Capitol to expand existing Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, rather than building a new one at another site.
April 10, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on the Bovey Police Department, which may cease to exist due to financial costs for the small city. Bovey is located on the northern edge of the Iron Range in Minnesota and there is an open debate in town on if that will be trouble for the town.
April 15, 1996 - Many people say small government is better because its more accessible and can act quickly to solve problems, but local government has its own problems. Mark Steil of Mainstreet Radio highlights an example of that in the southern Minnesota town of Kasota, where quarrels with the city council and mayor might be every bit as nasty as those found in Washington D.C., turning neighbor against neighbor and leaving scars which can last years.