August 14, 2000 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone speaks from the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Program also includes clips of speech Wellstone gave at "shadow convention.”
August 15, 2000 - MPR’s Gary Eichten has phone conversation with former Vice President Walter Mondale, who is attending the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Program also includes clip of speech about party history that Mondale gave at convention.
August 15, 2000 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with Ryan Olcott, founder of the rock band 12 Rods, about the group’s album “Separation Anxieties.”
August 15, 2000 - One of the great unanswerable questions of U.S. geography is: exactly where does "the west" begin? On the South Dakota border there's a lake that could be used to make a case for Minnesota as the gateway to the west. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil profiles Salt Lake, which has more in common with the land of cowboys and cattle than any of Minnesota's 10,000+ other lakes.
August 17, 2000 - MPR’s Annie Feidt reports on a local team of adventure-enthusiasts competing in the Eco-Challenge held in Sabah, Malaysia. The four members of team Northstar have spent months preparing to endure the 300-mile race that will test their skills in jungle trekking, river paddling, sailing, scuba diving, caving and mountain biking.
August 21, 2000 - MPR’s Mike Edgerly talks with Native American writer James Welch, author of “The Heartsong of Charging Elk.” Welch discusses his book, culture, and Native American history. Welch also answers listener questions. Welch is well known for his previous works, including his book “Killing Custer.”
August 24, 2000 - Republican U.S. Senator Rod Grams at the MPR booth at the State Fair answers listener questions about politics and the election this year.
August 24, 2000 - Mark Seeley, University of Minnesota Climatologist, joins Gary Eichten to answer listener weather questions live from the MPR booth at the State Fair.
August 24, 2000 - Are you ready to climb aboard something called the Slingshot? How about the Power Surge, Extreme or the Storm? These rides debut as the Minnesota State Fair opens. Such rides are usually safe, but things have been known to go wrong. Last year, almost 10,000 people were injured on amusement park rides. Bob Johnson, executive director of Outdoor Amusement Business Association, says there are plenty protections in place to make sure the rides are safe.
August 25, 2000 - Before the homemade bread-and-butter pickles, patchwork quilts and gooseberry jams are exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair, some stiff competition has already taken place at the county level. For northern Minnesota resident Dorothy Coyle, Fair time is the time to harvest blue ribbons.