July 22, 1998 - Steve Correll and Vicki Tobin, representatives of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, discuss how criminal background checks are done, and their effectiveness. Main topic is on checks done during a hiring process. Correll and Tobin also answer listener questions.
July 21, 1998 - Michael Cox, Vice President and Economic Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas discusses his new report, "Time Well Spent: The Declining Real Cost of Living in America." Cox explains study that states while prices have gone up over the years, the cost of living is more modest than in past. Cox also answers listener questions.
July 20, 1998 - Lowell Pratt, President of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities; Ray Waldron, President of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council; and Harry Melander of the St. Paul Building Trades Council, discuss shortage of construction workers in the region and outlook for the construction trades. Group also answers listener calls. The program begins with a report from MPR’s Cara Hetland on the construction dilemma impacting Spencer, South Dakota and St. Peter, Minnesota, in the aftermath of tornados.
July 15, 1998 - Jim Koppel, executive director of the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota, and Lynn Reed, research director for the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, discuss a new report on the effect of federal and state tax policies on families. Premise of study notes increase in taxes on families vs individuals, the causes, and potential solutions. Koppel and Reed also answer listener questions.
July 14, 1998 - Barb Frey, a human rights law consultant and University of Minnesota professor, discusses human rights and international tribunals. Frey is a delegate for Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights to the Diplomatic Conference on the International Criminal Court in Rome, and she shares her views. Frey also answers listener questions.
July 13, 1998 - Mark Yudoff, President of the University of Minnesota, discusses successful completion of his first year as president, and upcoming plans for university. Topics of accomplishment include freshman seminars, adding of faculty members, preservation, and new building projects. Yudoff also answers listener questions.
June 12, 1998 - Doug Cogan, director of IRRC's Tobacco Information Service; Joan Growe, Minnesota Secretary of State; and Judi Dutcher, Minnesota State Auditor, discuss tobacco stocks and the State of Minnesota’s decision to end investing pension money in companies that are related to tobacco. The debate over investing based on reasons beyond financial performance is highlighted. Guests also answer listener questions.
June 11, 1998 - Harry Browne, 1996 Libertarian Party Presidential candidate, speaking at 1998 Libertarian Party of Minnesota State Convention.
June 11, 1998 - Kate Trewick of the Department of Children, Families, and Learning, and Joe Nathan, Director of the Center for School Change discuss Third and Fifth grade basic skills test results and the implications. Trewick and Nathan also answer listener questions. Among the topics is levels in tests, public vs private, and role of parents.
June 10, 1998 - On the opening day of the World Cup Soccer Championship, Alan Merrick, former pro player and coach, who now runs the Alan Merrick Soccer Academies, in Bloomington. Merrick discusses the various styles of play throughout the world. Merrick also answers listener questions.