May 11, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on a Minneapolis intersection once known for crime getting a big lift with the opening of a mercado, or marketplace. The city's burgeoning Spanish-speaking population is one of the factor's behind the creation of the business. Residents are welcoming the unusual development as the latest sign of economic revival on Lake Street.
May 19, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the small community of Comfrey, Minnesota. Following the destructive March tornadoes that struck the area, Mark Steil talks with residents and local officials about recovery, rebuilding, and remembering. The topic of small towns in general and their economic health is also discussed.
June 8, 1998 - A coalition of Hmong agencies and Ramsey County have announced a 10-year plan to curb violence in the Hmong community. While the plan is more a call to action than a series of concrete recommendation, organziers say it is historic because it represents the first time the Hmong community has acknowledged violence is a problem. MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with some of those involved with plan.
July 17, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from Ely, Minnesota. Program highlights the northern Minnesota town and the BWCA, twenty years after major Congressional legislation in 1978…a controversial Act that banned mining, logging and most motor use. In this first hour of program, MPR’s Rachel Reabe interviews Mark Van Every and Barb Soderberg, representatives from the National Forest Service; and canoe outfitters John Waters and Gary Gotchnik about the various aspects of the BWCA.
July 17, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from Ely, Minnesota. Program highlights the northern Minnesota town and the BWCA, twenty years after major Congressional legislation in 1978…a controversial Act that banned mining, logging and most motor use. In this second hour of program, MPR’s Rachel Reabe interviews Mike Hillman, a local historian, and Jim Krile, Director of the Blandin Community Leadership Program.
August 7, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from Detroit Lakes. Program highlights outdoor music festival WE Fest, the largest camping and country music extravaganza. Rachel Reabe interviews Jeff Krueger, WE Fest organizer; and Rand Levy, of Rose Productions about the history, phenomenon, efforts, and challenges of running an outdoor festival. Reabe also talks with musician/manager Tony Stephens.
August 11, 1998 - Rev. Ron Smith, co-pastor of University Baptist Church of St. Paul, and Dan McElroy, Minnesota state representative for Burnsville, discuss the campaign watchdog group organization "Political Racism is Offensive to All Citizens Task Force" (aka as Pro-Act). Task force monitors what it perceives as racism in Minnesota political campaigns. Smith and McElroy also answer listener questions.
August 25, 1998 - MPR’s John Rabe reports on local African American leaders from the Twin Cities talking with local black leaders in South Africa.
September 3, 1998 - Chris Farrell, MPR senior business and economics editor, presents MPR special report, "Make Change, Not Money: The Power of the Non-Profit Economy."
September 4, 1998 - Judy Schaubauch and Sandra Peterson, the co-presidents of the new teachers' union, Education Minnesota, visit MPR’s Gary Eichten at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Schaubauch and Peterson discuss education issues in the news and answer questions from the fair audience.