October 28, 1996 - For this Halloween edition of our Odd Jobs series, MPR reporter Mary Losure went out with psychic Echo Bodine on one of her ghostbusting jobs…at an ordinary house in the suburbs, where most of the ghosts were out in the backyard. If the ghosts don't feel like leaving, she also helps homeowners understand their ghosts, and learn to live with them.
October 28, 1996 - The major party U.S. Senate candidates discuss issues for the full hour of Midday. Guests are Paul Wellstone and Dean Barkley. Rudy Boschwitz was invited, but declined invitation.
October 31, 1996 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher presents an election special Midday broadcast, with interview segments of the individuals running for Minnesota’s 8th District congressional seat. Stan Estes, Reform party candidate, Jim Oberstar, DFL candidate; Andy Larson, Republican candidate; and Larry Fuhol, Libertarian candidate, discuss subjects including environment, individual rights, taxes, abortion, and term limits.
October 31, 1996 - With wind chills for Halloween expected to hover near or below zero, Minnesota continues to prove in being the worst place in the world for trick-or-treaters. MPR’s Chris Roberts wondered whether this puts much of a damper on things for kids, so he sought an expert's opinion.
November 1, 1996 - Midday examines the system for selecting judges for Minnesota's courts with interviews about the appointment, election process, and the role and qualifications of judges. Guests Wes Skoglund, chair of the House Judicial Committee; and Suzanna Sherry, law professor at University of Minnesota, explain the debate between merit selections vs. elections.
November 5, 1996 - A special pre-election-day Midday program presents an audio collection entitled Five Presidents. Over the years, PBS host David Frost conducted Oval Office interviews with five of our former presidents - Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush.
November 5, 1996 - St. Paul native Toni Stone, the first woman to play on a men's professional baseball team, died on November 2nd, 1996 at a nursing home near Oakland, California. She was 75 years old. In 1990, Stone came back to St. Paul to talk to a group of students during Women's History Month. MPR’s Bill Wareham was there and presents this audio from an original 1990 broadcast as a remembrance.
November 5, 1996 - Former Vice-President Walter Mondale reflects on losing presidential election in his run for the Oval Office. Mondale talks about how an individual must accept that fact that many will not vote for them.
November 6, 1996 - Midday looks at election results with MPR political analysts DFLer Bob Meek and Republican Tom Horner. Program includes news conferences by the winners/losers and call-in from listeners and local political members.
November 8, 1996 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the Minnesota Twins and its allies looking to push lawmakers at the Minnesota State Capitol for a news stadium, the team going so far as to give a year’s notice as a warning on future of team in the state.