Voices of Minnesota, a long-running MPR series, highlights the many interesting voices that make up the people and history of Minnesota. It has appeared on Mid-Morning, MPR, Midday, and News Feature broadcasts in short form, and part of Midday hour programming in long form. Over the years, MPR’s Dan Olson, Gary Eichten, and numerous others, produced hundreds of fascinating interviews from the land of 10,000 Lakes.
December 5, 1997 - Midday presents a special Voices of Minnesota, with Minnesota writer Bill Holm reading from his book Faces of Christmas Past, a collection of essays and reminiscences about Christmas in Iceland and Minnesota.
January 2, 1998 - Midday presents the January edition of MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, featuring interviews with three outgoing Minneapolis City Council members, who have nearly 70 years of experience between them: Alice Rainville, Walt Dziedzic, and Dennis Schulstad.
February 23, 1998 - As part of the continuing MPR series Voices of Minnesota, a presentation of conversations with James Griffin, one of Minnesota's first Black police officers and first deputy police chief for St. Paul; and Hennepin County Judge Pamela Alexander, Minnesota's first Black female judge.
May 29, 1998 - As part of the “Voices of Minnesota" series, this program features MPR’s Gary Eicthen interviewing Hy Berman, University of Minnesota historian. Topics include his personal life, the tobacco trial, politics, and University of Minnesota.
June 15, 1998 - On this Midday program: MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series continues, featuring in-depth interviews with musicians Romuald Tecco, longtime concertmaster of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Dominick Argento, the internationally known Minnesota composer.
July 24, 1998 - The July edition of MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series, featuring Susan Hill Gross, Director of the Upper Midwest History Center, and Minnesota feminist Marilyn Bryant.
August 24, 1998 - As part of the “Voices of Minnesota" series, this program features MPR’s Dan Olson interviewing Don Fraser, former Minneapolis mayor and former U.S. congressman; and Leonard Lindquist, a Minneapolis attorney.
September 29, 1998 - Our September installment of the MPR "Voices of Minnesota" series is a special baseball edition, with profiles of Minnesota baseball stars Paul Molitor and Kirby Puckett. MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki interviews Molitor and Jim Bickal interviews Puckett. Following interviews a conversation with sports commentator Howard Sinker and call-in from listeners.
October 28, 1998 - On this edition of MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, a profile of two long-time Minnesota political activists; Geri Joseph of the DFL and Republican Kathleen Ridder. The two women have played a major role in shaping politics in Minnesota.
December 12, 1998 - Our Voices of Minnesota series features Minneapolis astronaut Colonel Bob Cabana who is commanding the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which is set for launch Thursday morning to begin building the International Space Station. He speaks with MPR’s Mark Zdechlik. Program begins with NPR report on the mission of International Space Station.