January 6, 1999 - This January edition of Voices of Minnesota features MPR’s Dan Olson interviews with Dean Abrahamson, medical doctor and professor at University of Minnesota, and Eville Gorham, recently retired professor of ecology at University of Minnesota. Abrahamson discusses global warming, and its present and future impact on the Minnesota region. Gorham, who discovered the harmful influence of acid rain, discusses the past and current state of this pollution problem on the global environment.
January 14, 1999 - Suzanna Sherry, and Michael Paulsen, both constitutional law professors at University of Minnesota, discuss the opening of the impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.
January 18, 1999 - It is unofficially a day of mourning for Minnesota Vikings players and fans who saw their super bowl dreams shattered yesterday by the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the Metrodome. The final score of the NFC championship game was 30-27, thanks to the foot of Falcons kicker Morton Anderson. Vikings players and coaches say the team's loss shouldn't be blamed on kicker Gary Anderson. Anderson had record forty-six straight field goals until he missed a thirty-eighty yard attempt in the fourth quarter.
January 21, 1999 - Christine Jax, Commissioner of the Department of Children, Families, and Learning; and Claudia Fuentes, of the Urban Coalition, discuss a proposal by state education officials to eliminate mandatory desegregation "race quotas" to change the racial balance in Minnesota's public schools. Jax and Fuentes also answer listener questions.
January 26, 1999 - As the White House scandal has slowly unfolded, many have pondered on what to tell their children. Commentator Nanci Olesen thinks perhaps it's adults who should be doing the listening.
January 29, 1999 - Ted Mondale, Metropolitan Council Chair discusses plans for metropolitan government. Topics include Governor Ventura's plans to close the Metropolitan Council. Mondale also answers listener questions.
February 16, 1999 - Under most circumstances, weapons are banned in state buildings. But the governor obtained the permission to carry a concealed weapon at the capitol from Charlie Weaver, the commissioner of public safety. Republican Senator Gary Laidig is critical of that decision and has asked for a legislative hearing this Friday to look into the matter. We invited Laidig and Commissioner Weaver into our studios to discuss the Governor's safety. Laidig says he supports gun rights, but not at the state capitol, where school children frequently fill the corridors.
February 18, 1999 - Baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy says it doesn't bode well for a good season for the Minnesota Twins as pitchers and catchers reported to baseball spring training. The team has slashed its payroll by $10 million in the hopes of breaking even after several seasons of losing money. They're total team payroll is almost what New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens, alone, makes in a year.
February 19, 1999 - Jody Williams, winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize discusses her international campaign to ban landmines. She is in the Twin Cities to speak at the annual Peace Prize Forum, held this year at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Williams also answers listener questions.
February 22, 1999 - A "Talk of Minnesota" program, presenting the views of MPR listeners on how Governor Ventura is doing his job. A preview to the next hour's live broadcast from the National Press Club.