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 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.
July 5, 1996 - This Midday program presents speeches by Manning Marable and Glen Loury from the World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic inequality, which was sponsored recently by the University of Minnesota’s Roy Wilkins Center and the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
August 1, 1996 - Midday presents a Twin Cities speech by Yale University professor Theodore Marmor entitled America’s Misunderstood Welfare State. Marnor speaks about the controversies over welfare reform, medical care, and social security. Professor Marmor speech was at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute.
August 5, 1996 - As part of the Voices of Minnesota series, MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Lee Pao Xiong, Director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Xiong discusses further incoming Hmong immigration, social services, clans in the Hmong culture, and Xiong’s viewpoint on the main problems facing Hmong community.
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.
August 15, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on Camp Knutson, a camp near Brainerd created to help people learn to live with HIV or AIDS within their families. Organizers say they believe it's the first time a summer camp has been set up for whole families affected by HIV and AIDS.
August 29, 1996 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone talks about his vote against a welfare bill in U.S. Senate that he sees as too harsh. Wellstone details his hope that changes will be made in coming year.