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 24, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports on Wings of Mercy, a program based in St. Cloud that assists with the challenges of rural Minnesotans in finding medical care. A group of amateur pilots volunteer their time to fly rural low-income patients to hospitals in larger cities...and they do all their work for free.
December 28, 1998 - As Governor-elect Jesse Ventura’s administration prepares to begin, MPR's Mike Mulcahy has a look back at the Arne Carlson’s years as Minnesota governor. Carlson will be remembered for the record number of bills he vetoed, his love of the Gophers' basketball team, and for his flamboyant ex-wife…but the Carlson legacy will be also be marked by the record budget surpluses that piled up during his watch.
December 28, 1998 - On Sunday March 29th a huge storm tore across more than 60 miles of south/central Minnesota. The storm took out much of the small town of Comfry. Then, around 5:30 pm, an F3 tornado, carrying winds of up to 206 miles per hour, smashed through St. Peter. Two people died--one, a boy just six years old.
December 29, 1998 - Walter Mondale, former vice-president, and his son Ted Mondale, former state senator and gubernatorial candidate, talk about politics and politicians...then and now. Topics include leadership, trust, and necessity of genuine debate. The Mondale’s also answer listener questions.
December 30, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on that Governor-elect Jesse Ventura spoke to reporters about his agenda for the 1999 legislative session, which begins next week. But Ventura did NOT get very specific, and he stopped short of presenting a short list of his legislative goals.
December 31, 1998 - An MPR Special report, presenting the big Minnesota news stories of 1998. Highlights include Governor election, Comfrey and St. Peter tornado, farm crisis, mergers, the Northwest strike and the big tobacco trial. Program ends with brief remembrance segments on various individuals that made news in the year.
December 31, 1998 - An MPR Special report, presenting the biggest Minnesota news story of 1998...the election of Jesse Ventura as governor of Minnesota. Dean Barkley of the Ventura campaign; Eric Johnson of the Humphrey campaign; and Cyndy Brucato of the Coleman campaign, discuss the 1998 Governor’s race. Barkley, Johnson, and Brucato also answer listener questions. Program begins with a report on the Gubernatorial campaigns, and how the result of election came to be.
December 31, 1998 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on Governor-elect Jesse Ventura meeting with "disenchanted voters." Ventura met with thirteen randomly selected Minnesotans who voted for the first time, or for the first time in several years, to understand what worked to draw voters out this year and what would keep them engaged in the future.
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.