December 1, 2008 - "Say It Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches". An American RadioWorks documentary. Featuring speeches from: Booker T. Washington: A former slave and the most influential African American at the turn of the 20th century
December 1, 2008 - While the 2008 election is nearly over - but for the Senate recount - some people are already gearing up for another big civic activity -- the U.S. Census. The Census doesn't take place until the year 2010, but the preparation for the count is already underway.
December 16, 2008 - MPR’s Euan Kerr sits down in a café to talk with poet Todd Boss.
December 22, 2008 - This time of year is chock full of traditions, like building snowmen, frying latkes, or singing Christmas carols. Then there's the annual ritual that puts so many on edge: the family gathering. MPR's Nikki Tundel talks with a few wary family members about what’s behind the angst.
December 24, 2008 - MPR's Elizabeth Baier reports on Nochebuena (Spanish for “the Good Night”), a holiday celebrated every December 24th in Spain, Latin countries, and the Philippines.
December 25, 2008 - Midday features three stories of the Christmas season. Garrison Keillor has a special Christmas Day edition of "the News from Lake Wobegon," MPR's Dan Olson reads the famous 1897 New York Sun letter, "Is there a Santa Claus?," and Truman Capote reads "A Christmas Memory."
December 25, 2008 - Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of "A Christmas Carol," using a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations.
January 1, 2009 - MPR’s Curtis Gilbert spends a day at the Minnesota State Fair to gorge on varied food offerings to see how the fried and caloric intake may impact the body. It leads to surprising and unsurprising results.
January 1, 2009 - At the start of the new year, Midday presents some of 2008's most entertaining speeches. In this speech, author and humorist Garrison Keillor talked about poetry, writing and his own relationship with the library at the "Talk of the Stacks" series in November at the Hennepin County Library in downtown Minneapolis.
January 5, 2009 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews local folk artist Lucy Michelle. Roberts talks with Michelle about her particular vocal and whistling style. Roberts also interviews producer Mike Wisti and music critic Andrea Swennson about the artist.