November 18, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the troubling year for the music industry, and the fallout among local labels. After years of double-digit growth, record sales have flattened out and the consumer base for music appears to be shrinking. Part of the problem is an explosion in the number of retail outlets that sell CDs and tapes, creating a situation in which supply far exceeds demand. As a result, distributors and record labels are getting huge numbers of returns, and some are even going out of business. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has this report on the fallout among local labels. Roberts interviews Bob Feldman, Red House Records founder; Rob Simons, Rykodisc co-founder; Paul Stark, president of Twin/Tone Record Group; and John Michael, a Best Buy merchandise manager (who says music retailers need an industry-wide advertising campaign, similar to "Got Milk?").
November 19, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on new children’s comic book which highlights the history of the Mille Lacs Ojibwe Band. The book, "A Hero's Voice," looks at broken treaties, important figures in Ojibwe history, and the spiritual tie between the tribe and the lake.
November 19, 1996 - Jim Walsh, music critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, provides commentary on release of Prince three-disc album Emancipation. The three hours of music contains all new material created over the previous year. It is the first record for artist since he left Warner Brothers music label.
November 20, 1996 - MPR’s Mary Stucky reports on local poetry book The Palm of My Heart, which collects vivid poetry by African American children who live in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
November 21, 1996 - R. J. Brown, Minnesota state commissioner of Department of Economic Security, discusses a research study that shows 70% of women in state are a part of workforce.
November 26, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten speaks with newly re-elected U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, whose in the studio to answer questions about issues that will come up in the next session of Congress. Wellstone also answers listener call-in questions.
November 27, 1996 - Midday looks at car safety devices and good winter driving techniques. Studio guests are Sergeant Randy Slinger of the Minnesota State Patrol; and Nancy Frank Skala, safety program coordinator for the Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety. Slinger and Skala discuss air bags, seatbelts, speeding, and ice. They also answer listeners questions.
November 27, 1996 - MPR’s Leif Enger interviews Mary McGowan, owner of Trocano’s restaurant, about opening the doors to local community for Thanksgiving.
December 2, 1996 - Economist Dean Ramos comments on the business health of Dayton’s department store and the possibility of being sold.
December 2, 1996 - Healthcare's newest trend is decidedly low tech and low cost. In the past five years, over 300 Minnesotans have been trained as parish nurses...health care professionals working within the church to promote physical and spiritual wellness. Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe visits Crosslake Lutheran Church in northern Minnesota and looks into the nurse movement.