July 11, 2008 - McCain Hudson, WI. Clean podium feed. If you plan to use any of the Q and A on-air, listen to it first and edit as required. There are some long gaps where the mic was being passed, or where a question was asked off-mic.
July 17, 2008 - We've been talking with Trisha Dillion, a healthcare consultant in Rochester, Minnesota, Steve Piragis, who owns an outfitter in Ely, Minnesota... and Jon Zitur, who works for a large local lumber company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are among a group of people we've selected from around Minnesota to give us a first-hand perspective on the effects of the economic slowdown. We'll be checking in with them periodically over the coming months.
July 24, 2008 -
August 1, 2008 - A Midday MPR Special coverage program of memorial service, one year after I-35W bridge collapse. From the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis, Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota; R. T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; Sally Dyck, United Methodist Church Bishop and president of the Minnesota Council of Churches; and Father John Bauer, co-pastor of Basilica of St. Mary speak in observance of the one-year anniversary of the I-35W bridge collapse. Hour long service also includes songs, prayers and reflection.
August 5, 2008 - U.S. Senate candidates Norm Coleman and Al Franken gave similar views on key issues for rural voters on Tuesday, but offered different arguments for why they'd be better for the job. Coleman, the Republican incumbent, and Democrat Franken were joined at the annual FarmFest show by Independence Party candidates Dean Barkley and Steve Williams. All four talked up the importance of renewable fuel research and production on Minnesota's farms. Coleman and Franken, in their first joint appearance of the campaign, praised the recently passed farm bill, with both calling it a needed safety net for farmers. The forum's format didn't give candidates much chance to directly engage each other, putting the emphasis on discussion of issues.
August 6, 2008 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on The Farmfest Congressional Forum near Redwood Falls. Two incumbents were there, Democrats Collin Peterson and Tim Walz; as well as a number of challengers from several congressional races around the state. During the forum at the annual agricultural show, the candidates spent most of their time on the federal farm program and the nation's energy policy.
August 14, 2008 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on Obama campaign focus on senior citizen votes. Report includes comments from Walter Mondale, former U.S. vice president; Josie Johnson, local civil rights leader; and Tom Steward, spokesperson for presidential candidate John McCain.
August 19, 2008 - Minnesota native L. Bruce Laingen was charge d'affaires of the American Embassy in Iran when radicals took over the building and held 52 Americans hostage from November 1979 to January 1981. Laingen is back in Minnesota to donate artifacts from that experience to the Minnesota Historical Society, and he joins Midday to talk about his experience during the hostage crisis.
August 20, 2008 - This event marked the unofficial opening of the general election and served as a prequel to the fall debates as the two candidates discussed, although not simultaneously, a range of faith-related, character, leadership and humanitarian issues. Rick Warren first interviewed Barack Obama for an hour (with commercial breaks). Afterward, John McCain came on stage. For a brief moment, the two candidates greeted one another, shaking hands. Obama then left while McCain began his own hour with Warren.
August 23, 2008 - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announces vice-presidential running mate Joe Biden. Text message of announcement went out at 3am this morning.