May 30, 2007 - Nick Mancini, founder of St. Paul institution Mancini's Char House and Vegas Lounge, passed away at the age of 80. Over the years, his steaks and hospitality would make the restaurant a popular destination for politicians, athletes, and many loyal customers…one of whom is MPR's own Gary Eichten, who remembers how Mancini had a knack for keeping his customers happy.
June 4, 2007 - Governor Tim Pawlenty analyzes the 2007 Minnesota legislative session with Midday’s Gary Eichten. Pawlenty faced large DFL majorities in both houses of the Legislature this session, but with the help of his veto pen and a united Republican caucus, he held his ground on a number of fronts, including blocking several tax increases.
July 4, 2007 - While the issue of immigration spurs heated debate across the country, the stories of how and why people choose the United States as their home lay the foundation of America. On this Independence Day, Midday invites immigrants Zainab Hassan, Roberto Fonts, and Kaiser Haque to share their reasons for wanting to become Americans.
July 9, 2007 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on lead poisoning concerns in toys from China. Minnesota's Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar says the federal agency in charge of protecting consumers needs to get tougher on toy manufacturers. And to do that, it needs tougher laws and more money to hire inspectors. Klobuchar held a forum this morning in Minnetonka on unsafe toys imported from China.
July 31, 2007 - On this episode of Musicheads, guests Tony Lopez and Danny Sigelman talks with host Bill DeVille discuss Prince's Planet Earth, check out the world music sounds of Stereo Spirit by African musician Daby Toure' (and spend some time chewing on just what "world music" means anyway), and share enthusiasm for the John Doe release, A Year In The Wilderness.
August 2, 2007 - MPR Special Coverage of government and city officials giving morning news conference on day after I-35W bridge collapse. Speakers include R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota; Amy Peters, U.S. secretary of transportation; Norm Coleman, U.S. senator; Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator; Keith Ellison, U.S. representative, Tim Dolan, Minneapolis police chief; Jim Clack, Minneapolis fire chief; and Mark Rosenker, chairman of National Transportation Safety Board. Topics include the recovery efforts, first responders, government relief, initial local reaction, and investigations going forward. Speakers also answer reporter questions.
August 2, 2007 - MPR Special Coverage of R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; and Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, giving afternoon news conference on day after I-35W bridge collapse. Topics include the human loss, family privacy, first responders, road closures, and bridge inspections. Both Rybak and Pawlenty also answer reporter questions.
August 3, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says it's unclear when two bridges across the Mississippi will be reopened. The 10th Avenue and the Stone Arch bridges have been closed since Wednesday evening's collapse of the nearby 35W bridge. Both spans are within the investigation perimeter set up by law enforcement officials. Rybak said the downriver 10th Avenue bridge will need to stay off limits while the recovery efforts continue. But he says he would like see access restored to the Stone Arch bridge as early as next week.
August 7, 2007 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan and Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek about the I-35W bridge search and recovery efforts. The police officials also answer listener questions.
August 8, 2007 - A week after the I-35W bridge collapsed, Midday marks the occasion with a special one-hour broadcast featuring the latest on the investigation and the stories of the survivors. MPR’s Lorna Benson provides a remembrance of the 13 victims…Sherry Engebretsen; Artemio Trinidad-Mena; Julia Blackhawk; Patrick Holmes; Peter Hausmann; Paul Eickstadt; Greg Jolstad; Scott Sathers; Christina Sacorafas; Sadiya Sahal and two-year-old daughter Hannah; Vera Peck and her 20-year-old son Richard Chit.