September 29, 1998 - This summer as many as 150 thousand fish died in four major fish kills in southeast Minnesota. Contamination from area farms was blamed for two of the kills and a spill from a local packing plant for a third. While news of the kills attracted lots of media attention, Department of Natural Resources officials don't even think they're finding all of the kills that take place. They're forming a group of scientists to try to figure out why fish kills occur and how to prevent them.
September 30, 1998 - Robert Olson, Minneapolis police chief, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the decrease in crime in Minneapolis, and the elements of effective police work. Topics include downtown nightlife and higher arrest rates. Olson also answers listener questions.
September 30, 1998 - "The World Turned Upside Down," an American RadioWorks documentary about deflation, with MPR's Steven Smith and Chris Farrell. Contains various interviews and commentary.
October 1, 1998 - Tom Emmert, Gustavus Adolphus history professor and Balkan scholar, discusses the background and update on the developments in Kosovo. Emmert also answers listener questions. Emmert is writing a book about the history of Serbia, for a forthcoming Stanford University series.
October 1, 1998 - Midday presents the first general election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and broadcast from Brainerd Community College. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate. Topics include state surplus, taxes, healthcare, agriculture, education, and stadium funding.
October 1, 1998 - Another Health care company is pulling out of the Medicare market. Today Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it's dropping its Blue Plus Preferred Seniors Plan in the metro area. Two days ago, another Health Care giant, Medica, announced it was dropping its medicare HMO's in four counties. The Health care companies say the can't afford to provide the plans because federal reimbursement rates for Medicare patients are so low. Former Minnesota senator David Durenberger is now serving on a federal commission charged with solving the Medicare problem. He says Minnesota seniors who had these plans will still be able to see their regular doctor and go to their usual clinics and hospitals: | D-CART ITEM: 3183 | TIME: 3:03 | OUTCUE: "...to the rest of America."
October 1, 1998 -
October 1, 1998 - The Federal Environmental Protection Agency has negotiated a 32 and a half million dollar settlement for environmental violations by Marathon Ashland Incorporated. The company operates refineries in Kentucky, Ohio, and St.Paul Park. THe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says only a small portion of the fine is for violations at the St. Paul Park refinery.
October 1, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on an accordian “jam session” in front of Mahler Music Center on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul.
October 2, 1998 - Father Robert Drinan, former Massachusetts Congressman, and Elizabeth Holtzman, former New York Congresswoman, share insights into the presidential impeachment process. Both were members of the House Judiciary Committee which investigated President Nixon. Drinan and Holtzman also answer listener questions.