June 9, 2011 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Program topic is Iraq troop withdrawals, role of Red Bulls, and war in Afghanistan. Walz also answers listener questions.
June 14, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Bob Mould, co-founder of the seminal Minneapolis punk band Husker Du, as well as the hit-making alt rock group Sugar. Mould discusses and reads from his autobiography "See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody." Segment includes various comments from music contemporaries.
July 6, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on "Pianos on Parade," a collaboration between the city of St. Paul and the local non-profit "Keys 4/4 Kids."
July 15, 2011 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Davina and the Vagabonds and their CD "Black Cloud." Featuring horns instead of guitars, and a frontwoman who looks as if she had been lifted from another century, the music of Davina and the Vagabonds doesn't fit the traditional Minneapolis indie rock mold.
July 20, 2011 - While the Twin Cities finds itself in the midst of a brutal heatwave, MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Michael Tortorello about his support of fans over air-conditioning. The detail to success seems to be what kind of fan.
July 21, 2011 - Art theft is one of the profitable criminal enterprises in the world, exceeding $6 billion in losses to galleries and art collectors. But art heists are not always as clever as they appears in the movies. A new book reveals some of the actors involved in the great Rembrandt heists of the past century, and their often clumsy methods.J.K. Rowling announced this month the launch of a new Harry Potter site, Pottermore.com. The site will be the exclusive distributor of Potter eBooks and will provide what Rowling calls a "unique online reading experience." Today, we talk about what to expect from Pottermore and the future of e-books.
August 1, 2011 - Euan Kerr interviews Minnesota poet Robert Bly about his collection "Talking into the Ear of a Donkey." Bly reads from book. Segment also includes commentary about Bly from fellow poets Jim Lenfestey and Garrison Keillor, and wife Ruth.
August 9, 2011 - MPR’s Brandt Williams profiles John Gordon, who as the radio broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins, has documented some of the biggest moments in the team's history. Gordon announced he will retire after the 2011 Twins season comes to a close.
August 16, 2011 - As State Senator Linda Berglin steps after a 39-year career in the Minnesota House and Senate, she stops by the Midday studio to reflect on her career and on Minnesota's health care system. Berglin’s legislative specialty was health care, and she moves to a new public policy job at Hennepin County.
August 19, 2011 - Architectural historian Larry Millett has written beautiful and informative books about Minnesota's most interesting homes and buildings. His newest book, "Once There Were Castles," describes 90 mansions and estates that have disappeared from Minnesota. Are there homes or buildings that you remember from the past? Some gems still standing?