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.
December 31, 1998 - The sweepstakes for “Biggest Minnesota News Story” of 1998’ is no contest. Jesse Ventura's upset victory in the race for Governor was such a shock, his success caught almost everybody by surprise…the media, the political parties, and especially his opponents. MPR's Martin Kaste looks back on Ventura's rise.
December 31, 1998 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Karlyn Campbell, a professor of speech communication at the University of Minnesota, about the role of first ladies.
January 1, 1999 - Howard Sinker, MPR sports analyst, and Gary Eichten discuss the year in sports with Joe Kapp, former Vikings quarterback. Topics include the Vikings' Superbowl chances, the Twins retrenchment and stadium flap, the NBA strike, Minnesota's Olympic gold medal winners, and more.
January 1, 1999 - Mainstreet Radio's Kathryn Herzog pays a visit to one small town butcher shop, where business is making for some long days. Business at meat markets and butcher shops across the state is booming during holiday season. With pork prices as low as they've been in more than twenty five years, sales of pork are on the rise.