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.
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.
October 11, 2011 - Former GOP presidential candidate and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty sits down with MPR's Gary Eichten to reflect on his failed presidential bid, his two terms as governor, and his future career in or out of politics. This is the first public interview since he dropped out of the race for president.
November 18, 2011 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz. The two discuss the The congressional “supercommittee” efforts to cut the federal budget deficit by $1.2. Walz joined a bipartisan group urging the panel to "go big" and exceed the minimum target. During conversation, the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are addressed. Walz also answers listener questions.
December 13, 2011 - Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton reflects on the first year of his four-year term and answers questions about taxes, the budget, education policies, public employee unions, Vikings stadium, and more. Dayton also answers listener questions.
January 16, 2012 - Midday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a discussion about race and religion in America with guest Keith Ellison (D-MN), U.S. representative for the Minnesota 5th District.
January 20, 2012 - A broadcast of "Heckuva Farewell," an event for MPR’s Gary Eichten, held at the Fitzgerald Theater on January 19, 2012. For his last Midday show, Gary interviews Vice President Mondale, Minnesota's senior statesman. The two hold a wide-ranging political discussion.
March 14, 2012 - MPR’s Tim Nelson reports on questions emerging about the amount of money electronic pull-tabs would raise to help pay for a new Vikings stadium.
June 19, 2012 - Minnesota's 1st Congressional District appears to be ripe territory for Republicans. Yet political observers say DFL Congressman Tim Walz stands a good chance of winning a fourth term despite voting much maligned Democratic priorities such as the health care overhaul and financial reform. MPR’s Brett Neely looks at how Walz has balanced a relatively liberal voting record in a somewhat conservative rural district.
June 20, 2012 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Don Ness, mayor of Duluth, about conditions of city in the aftermath of extrodinary rainfall in a 24-hour period. Ness declared a state of emergency today.