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.
May 20, 1998 - In observance of B-BOP Day, when commuters are encouraged to find a way to get to work without driving alone in a car, Gary Eichten talks with Bob McFarlin and John Lundell about highway congestion and what the future holds. McFarlin and Lundell also answer listener questions. Program begins with an interview with Trish Moga, Manager of Metro Commuter Services, about B-Bop Day.
May 22, 1998 - Larry Buboltz, Director of the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, and Earl Wilson, Deputy Commissioner of the MN Dept of Economic Security, discuss summer jobs. Topics include what's available, who can get them, what employers are looking for, pay and skills required, and the job market.
June 1, 1998 - Downtown Minneapolis is experiencing a building boom not seen in at least a decade. The city's community development agency says there are more projects and a wider variety than ever before. But some critics say Minneapolis must be careful its downtown doesn't turn into just another business campus.
June 8, 1998 - MPR's Senior Business and Economics Editor Chris Farrell talks about the banking industry's latest merger, Norwest Corporation of Mpls, and Wells Fargo of San Francisco. It's a 34-billion-dollar deal and follows on the heels of the First Bank-US BankCorp takeover. Farrell also answers listener questions.
June 9, 1998 - Midday presents a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast on what's being called the "New Midwestern Farm Crisis." The program contains reports on farming issues, including insurance, scab plant disease, government programs, global markets, and Freedom to Farm Act.
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 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 28, 1998 - Robert McGregor, the President of the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility, discusses business ethics. Focus of discussion is "The Minnesota Principles Toward An Ethical Basis For Global Business" (aka - The Minnesota Principles). McGregor also answers listener questions. Robert McGregor, the President of the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility, discusses business ethics. Focus of discussion is "The Minnesota Principles Toward An Ethical Basis For Global Business" (aka - The Minnesota Principles). McGregor also answers listener questions.
August 12, 1998 - Chris Farrell, MPR’s senior business and economic editor, and Art Rolnick of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, discuss decline on Wall Street and the economy --and the impact on Minnesota. Farrell and Rolnick also answer listener questions.