April 22, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports that some citizens in southeast Minnesota are upset the Department of Natural Resources has spent a million dollars to buy a farm bordering the Mississippi River. DNR officials counter the land is worth protecting, calling it a scenic treasure state residents will be able to enjoy forever.
May 6, 1996 - Congressman Bruce Vento has introduced legislation to provide greater wilderness protection for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyaguers National Park. The bill is intended to counter legislation introduced by Representative James Oberstar to increase motorized use of the two areas.
May 8, 1996 - Midday presents a special Talk of Minnesota program to hear the views of Minnesota Public Radio listeners on the proposed cut in the federal gas tax repeal and energy conservation in general.
May 20, 1996 - Midday speaks with Minnesota 8th District Congressman Jim Oberstar, whose in the studio to talk about aviation safety, the BWCA, the congressional debate over the budget, and more. Oberstar, the senior member of Minnesota's congressional delegation, also answers listener questions.
June 7, 1996 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents a retrospective of 1978 Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party State Convention. It was noted for a fierce battle within the DFL party over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. It fractured the party and paved the way for a Republican sweep in the November general election.
June 13, 1996 - MPR’s Stephen Smith reports on the ongoing battle against honeybee colony loss in the U.S. and the impact to honey business and the greater food supply. Smith interviews Minnesota beekeeper and an entomologist.
July 4, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe visited Itasca State Park in northern Minnesota as part of a report that years of bare bones budgets have taken their toll on Minnesota's park system. Officials say the resources and facilities are being neglected, as funding for parks has not kept pace with popularity.
July 6, 1996 - Every year, half a million people visit Itasca State Park near Bemidji. They go to see the headwaters of the Mississippi and to walk in groves of huge, old pines that have been growing since long before white settlers arrived in Minnesota. But the old growth forests in Itasca State Park are facing a serious threat…an explosion of pine bark beetles threatens to wipe out EVERY old growth pine in the park.
July 8, 1996 - Hour 2 of Midmorning, featuring Voices of Minnesota with Daniel Janzen, a rainforest biologist and author Tim Nyberg.
July 11, 1996 -