June 5, 1998 - Millions of pounds of toasted oat cererals made by Malt-O-Meal at its Northfield plant are being recalled. The cereal is linked, but not positively identified, as the source of nationwide salmonella poisonings that have put 40 people in the hospital. State officials say over 100 Minnesotans have called the Health Department complaining of poisoning symptoms. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. People in twelve states have complained they contracted the flu like symptoms of salmonella poisoning - vomiting, diaherra, high fever and severe headache - and one of the links among all of them is one of Malt-O-Meal's toasted oat products. Minnesota Department of Health
June 9, 1998 - U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigators have more evidence linking Malt-o-Meal's Northfield cereal plant to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 200 people. Minnesota Public Radio's Eric Jansen has more: This much is certain: FDA investigators discovered salmonella bacteria in unopened boxes of Malt-o-Meal cereal produced at the company's Northfield plant. FDA spokesman Don Ayrd says the salmonella from the unopened boxes is the same strain that sickened hundreds throughout the Midwest and East Coast. "The odds of it being .... almost confirmation." :10 Ayrd says all that's left to do to be 100 percent sure is to perform what he calls a "fingerprinting" test:
June 9, 1998 - St. Paul Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman edged out State Attorney General Skip Humphrey in a straw poll of Minnesota AFL-CIO members. But the results may indicate big labor won't rally around a single candidate until after the September primary. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
June 12, 1998 - Doug Cogan, director of IRRC's Tobacco Information Service; Joan Growe, Minnesota Secretary of State; and Judi Dutcher, Minnesota State Auditor, discuss tobacco stocks and the State of Minnesota’s decision to end investing pension money in companies that are related to tobacco. The debate over investing based on reasons beyond financial performance is highlighted. Guests also answer listener questions.
July 2, 1998 - Bob Walker, the President of Handgun Control, Inc and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, discusses gun laws debate both nationally and in Minnesota. Topics include licensing, gun use by children, and gun legislation. Walker also answers listener questions.
August 17, 1998 - Michael Ciresi, lead attorney in the Minnesota tobacco trial, speaking at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association in Alexandria. In a keynote address, Ciresi speaks about his experiences.
August 18, 1998 - Michael Scandrett, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and former Director of the MN Health Care Commission, and Lee Greenfield, state representative and Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division, discuss MinnesotaCare, HMO's, Medicare and Medicaid, prescription costs, and employer health benefits. Scandrett and Greenfield also answer listener question.
August 18, 1998 - Dr. Robert Butler, founding Director of the National Institute on Aging, gerontologist and medical ethicist, speaking at the AARP National convention in Minneapolis. Butler’s speech was titled "End of Life Decision Making."
August 21, 1998 - An MPR Special presenting interviews with all seven major party gubernatorial candidates on health care, followed by listener reaction to the candidates. Program begins with brief reports on the various candidates.
August 27, 1998 - Along with cancelling hundreds of flights, as of eleven last (WED) night, Northwest Airlines also stopped taking any additional cargo shipments, putting many Minnesota businesses in a bind but it seems those businesses are making do. Minnesota Public Radio's John Rabe reports.