May 15, 1997 - Midday looks at Governor Arne Carlson's insistence that tax breaks for education expenses, including private school costs, be part of any education funding bill passed by the legislature. On this Talk of Minnesota, listeners call in and comment on whether the governor should stick to his guns or be willing to compromise.
May 20, 1997 - Public and private landholders are challenging Chippewa Indian's plans to take fish and other game in eastern Minnesota, under terms of an 1837 treaty. But miles north of the region under contention, Chippewa Indians have been harvesting fish and wild rice and hunting moose and deer on public lands with little fanfare, and no public protests.
May 20, 1997 - Midday discussion with the four legislative leaders from the State Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson, House Speaker Phil Carruthers, and House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum share their thoughts on the close of the regular legislative session and the chances of a special session due to potential governor veto on education bill. The guests also answer listener call-in questions.
May 30, 1997 - Midday examines the ways segregation is affecting life in the Twin Cities with guests George Latimer, former St. Paul mayor and former official with the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Vivian Jenkins Nelson, president and CEO of Inter-Race. Topics include Listeners call in with questions.
June 4, 1997 - Midday examines the future of the Minneapolis Public School system with guests Bill Green, chairman of the Minneapolis School Board; and Gary Sudduth, president of the Minneapolis Urban League. Green and Sudduth discuss Public Strategies Group termination, test scores, superintendent search, concerns on infrastructure of school district, and answer listener call-in questions.
June 6, 1997 - Midday presents the MPR/Soundprint documentary Working Nights. MPR’s Stephen Smith looks at health and science behind the experience of people who work nights.
June 10, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Suzanna Sherry, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, about some current and past cases facing the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include doctor-assisted suicide, line-item veto, and religious freedom. Sherry also answers listeners call-in questions.
June 11, 1997 - Midday talks with MPR Classical Music Host Eric Friesen as he prepares to leave Minnesota Public Radio. Friesen has accepted a position as a national music host with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto.
June 27, 1997 - Midday features special pledge program, with MPR reporter Kate Smith sitting in the studio with host Gary Eichten. Program contains various listener call-in commentary.
July 3, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Mark Yudof, the new University of Minnesota president. Topics include bringing unity to campus, undergraduate programs, finances, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. He also answers listener call-in questions.