May 9, 1996 - Local political commentator Tom Horner comments on a survey that show the public believes that if Bob Dole becomes the U.S. President, that taxes will be raised.
June 25, 1996 - Minnesota House Speaker Irv Anderson shares his thoughts on findings that Minnesota is high on list of states with high property taxes.
July 3, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger visits the central Minnesota town of Crosby, which is having a comeback of sorts…from prospering former mining town to bustling “antique” town. Those windows now contain 40 antique stores. Locals are hoping the recovery expands to other businesses for community.
July 16, 1996 - Midday examines workplace changes into the next century with guest Jeremy Rifkin, noted social critic and author of The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post-Market Era. Rifkin discusses politics, manufacturing, farming, corporations, and also answers listener questions.
August 15, 1996 - Chris Farrell, MPR's senior business and economics editor, discusses proposals being put forth by the Republicans and the Democrats this election year dealing with taxes and the economy. Listeners call in with questions.
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.
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.
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 13, 1997 - As part of a series on poverty, MPR’s John Biewen looks at the growth of so-called 'fringe banks'…pawnbrokers and check-cashing shops. A growing number of low-income Americans are relying on 'fringe banks' in place of traditional banking services.
January 13, 1997 - As part of a series on poverty, MPR’s John Biewen reports that while the Minnesota legislature passed regulations in 1996 designed to control interest rates so pawn customers wouldn't have to pay ten or fifteen times the rates charged for credit card loans, some of the state's pawnshops are using a loophole in the law to charge more than 200%.