April 30, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on efforts of a restorative justice program in Bemidji. Winter talks with criminal justice officials about the approach to better connect criminals to understanding and addressing their unlawful acts beyond the sole consequence of incarceration.
May 10, 1996 - Bill Kling, president of Minnesota Public Radio, and Steve Rothschild, MPR board member, discuss a Minnesota Attorney General investigation into executive compensation, other financial matters at MPR, and its affiliated for-profit companies. They express their concern on perceptions and misunderstanding of organization’s funding. Kling and Rothschild also answer listener questions.
June 6, 1996 - Midday discusses same-sex marriage and the Defense of Marriage Act. MPR’s Gary Eichten gets different perspectives on the ‘definition’ of same-sex marriage from guests Fritz Knaak, attorney and former State Senator; and Minneapolis family law attorney Suzanne Borne. Knaak and Borne also answer listener questions.
June 11, 1996 - About 400 North Minneapolis residents attended a raucous community meeting to discuss the recent slayings of 11-year-old Byron Phillips and 22-year-old Derrick Adams. Phillips and Adams were shot to death about a half block away from each other, in the space of a week. Police have no suspects as of report.
June 20, 1996 - Michael Martin, a gang specialist for the Minneapolis Police Department, talks about Twin Cities gangs and efforts to curb gang activity and growth.
July 1, 1996 - Mark Rotenberg, University of Minnesota general counsel on Supreme Court affirmative action and how it could affect U of M admissions.
July 3, 1996 - Midday examines juvenile crime with guests Hennepin County Juvenile Court Chief Judge Charles Porter and Minneapolis Police Sergeant Bret Lindback. Topics include first-time offenders, juvenile justice system, and current trends. Porter and Lindback also answer listener questions.
August 6, 1996 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Mayor Sayles Belton's budget outline. It has no new taxes, and more crime prevention. A new unit is being proposed to investigate misdemeanors, seeing them as “gateway” crimes.
August 6, 1996 - In connection with "National Night Out,” Midday presents a program about the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts. Studio guests Travis Christopher, member of the Brooklyn Park Police Department and president of the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association; and St. Paul Police Lieutenant Richard Gardell share their insights and answer listener questions.
October 3, 1996 - Midday discusses changes in the law concerning welfare reform with guest John Petraborg, commissioner at Minnesota Human Services. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and what the changes mean for recipients and taxpayers is the focus of conversation. Petraborg also answers listener questions.