August 5, 1999 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast of Minnesota Citizens Forum, live from FarmFest in Redwood Falls. In the second hour of program, Minnesota Farm Radio Network’s Tom Rothman hosts a continuing discussion of the importance of a strong rural economy to Minnesota.
August 6, 1999 - Mainstreet Radio's Brent Wolfe reports on a national referendum sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which looks to change the current system that sets different minimum prices for milk in different parts of the country. The new pricing system would reduce the disparity in minimum prices around the nation.
August 11, 1999 -
August 16, 1999 - A new survey indicates Minnesota companies received a record one-hundred-eight million dollars in venture capital funding in the second quarter of this year. Venture capital generally refers to investments in start-up firms that are not yet mature enough to seek funding in the stock market. However as Bill Catlin reports, Minnesota still lags in the share of venture capital it receives.
August 17, 1999 - Second District congressman David Minge and U of M Economist C. Ford Runge discuss proposals to help Minnesota farmers deal with their economic problems.
August 18, 1999 - Minnesota's community banks told U-S Senator Paul Wellstone in no uncertain terms today they want the farm crisis addressed because their own businesses are at stake.
August 19, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura's speech on the state’s role in dealing with the farm crisis, held at the Minnesota Rural Summit in Duluth.
August 27, 1999 - A "Talk of Minnesota" program, presenting the views of MPR listeners on tax rebate checks. Topics include questions of what should be done with them; should the government have kept the money; should overall taxes be cut; who should get the credit for the nation's biggest tax cut.
August 30, 1999 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens’ Forum on the future of rural Minnesota, held at the Minnesota State Fair. Panelists Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator; Bob Ness, Minnesota state representative and chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Finance committee; and Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner, discuss issues and solutions of the rural farm community.
August 31, 1999 - Back in St. Paul, volunteers are collecting money for Olson's legal defense fund. Mary Sutton is an old friend who's serving on the committee. She says they've raised 22-thousand dollars so far.