September 25, 1998 - With 1998 Major League Baseball season coming to a close, MPR’s William Wilcoxen looks at the gloomy outlook for Minnesota Twins as play on the field and empty seats in the Metrodome do not bode well for the future.
September 28, 1998 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles Paul Molitor, who may have played his last ballgame. The Minnesota native has played in the major leagues for 20 years, raking up statistics that many analysts say make him a shoo-in for the MLB’s Hall of Fame.
September 29, 1998 - Our September installment of the MPR "Voices of Minnesota" series is a special baseball edition, with profiles of Minnesota baseball stars Paul Molitor and Kirby Puckett. MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki interviews Molitor and Jim Bickal interviews Puckett. Following interviews a conversation with sports commentator Howard Sinker and call-in from listeners.
October 7, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls. In this second hour of program on Minnesota's wetlands and waterfowl, Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion on hunting in the wetlands with Doug Wells, wildlife manager at the Fergus Falls office of Natural Resources; and Tom Brimhall, chairman of the local Ducks Unlimited. Reabe then interviews John House, wildlife artist, and winner of DNR duck stamp contest.
October 7, 1998 - With the opening of Minnesota’s sixty-day duck season, Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson spent a few hours in a duck blind near Fergus Falls and filed this report. Minnesota has more waterfowl hunters than any place in the nation. Some 130,000 duck hunters are expected to shoot 800,000 ducks in two months.
November 10, 1998 - "Jackpine Bob" Cary, an author and amateur sledder from Ely, talks about the experience of dog sledding as the state's mushers and sled dogs are gearing up for another season of racing. Cary published a book on sled dogs titled "Born to Pull," which is also discussed.
November 13, 1998 - Bud Grant, former Minnesota Vikings and Hall-of-Fame coach discusses the Vikings team history and current strong season. After Grant interview, a report from Chris Roberts on the music history of Minnesota’s Soma Records. Begins highlights of the top ten releases from label and is continued into a second hour program with MPR’s John Rabe (aka Johnny R). Program contains pledge drive segments.
December 23, 1998 - It's a word that makes many lawmakers cringe, but talk of stadiums will be back before the legislature in 1999 session. A task force appointed by Governor Carlson is asking lawmakers to create a new commission to fund sports stadiums and arts venues. Legislative leaders and the Governor-elect are skeptical.
December 24, 1998 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports on efforts of the Minnesota Twins executives to “break even” by cutting payroll. That helps explain why the Twins let go of several of their best-paid players, but it’s not clear where this short-term strategy will lead them.
December 31, 1998 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Minnesota lawmakers who've argued for less government regulation say 1999 could finally be the year they claim success. With a Republican-controlled House and a new Governor who campaigned on the issue, legislation cutting regulations may fare better than in previous sessions.