July 10, 1997 - Midday looks at the new television ratings system to be unveiled in Washington with guest David Walsh, executive director of the National Institute on Media and the Family. Listeners call in with questions.
July 10, 1997 - Midday discusses issue over health care and public sector salaries with guests Michael Osterholm, member of the Minnesota Department of Health; and former State Senator Gene Merriam, who is now chief financial officer of ECM Publishers. The two share their views on topic and answer listener call-in questions.
July 11, 1997 - Midday discusses a report showing that the cost of college in Minnesota has more than doubled since 1982. Host Gary Eichten talks with guests State Representative Lyndon Carlson, who chairs the House Education Committee; and Ann Schluter, deputy director of Minnesota Planning, about the potential reasons behind cost increase and answers listener call-in questions.
July 11, 1997 - Minneapolis school officials have inspected about two-thirds of the districts buildings for damage suffered in last week's big storm. Preliminary estimates put the cost of cleanup and repairs at $6.5 million. The damage was especially severe at Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis, where the repair estimate is $5 million. Renovation work underway at the school allowed thousands of gallons of rainwater to pour into the 75-year-old building. The good news is the building is insured and officials expect to be ready for students on schedule this fall. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Wareham toured the building this morning.
July 12, 1997 - In sports news: Alison Nicholas leads the US Women's Open at the halfway mark. The British golfer stands at 6-under-par after shooting a 5-under 66 on Friday. Larry Gilbert leads Jack Nicklaus by one stroke halfway through the Senior Players Championship. Nicklaus shot a 5-under 67 to move into contention. John Jacobs is two off the lead. Golf is a sport that's perhaps more known for it's players---rather than it's fans. (After all--when was the last time you saw a fan wearing a foam cheese wedge on their heads on a fairway!?)
July 14, 1997 - The 1980s' was a decade known for trends, and one of the hottest was stand-up comedy. In the Twin Cities and around the country, comedy clubs were popping up everywhere and packing in people. Familiar names such as Louie Anderson, Tom Arnold, and Scott Hansen launched their stand-up careers here. But eventually, greed and mediocrity killed off a lot of comedy clubs, and the craze flickered out. Today, comedy clubs are attempting to make a comeback, and at many, the emphasis is not on cashing in, but on building for the future. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen and Chris Roberts found two local comedians who reflect the new spirit of comedy.
July 15, 1997 - It's been nearly three months since the swollen Red River gushed over the dike protecting the Lincoln Drive neighborhood in Grand Forks; yet the lives of neighborhood residents are still in flux. They've learned that flood recovery is agonizingly slow, and continues long after the nation's attention has moved on to another disaster. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has been following the recovery progress with three families who live in the Lincoln Drive neighborhood, and has this report...
July 15, 1997 - On this Midday program, "Voices of Minnesota" series continues with an interview with former Minnesota Vikings football coach Bud Grant, who shares memories of his life on and off the gridiron.
July 17, 1997 - The new superintendent of Minneapolis public schools says she has a special relationship with the state's largest school district and feels she can make a contribution. Carol Johnson will step down as superintendent of the suburban St. Louis Park district next month. She'll begin her new duties in Minnapolis with widespread support and high expectations for success. Minnesota Public radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
July 17, 1997 - MPR’s John Rabe intreviews David Reville, the McKnight Visiting Composer with the American Composers Forum, about his film score for “The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty." The film is screening at the Red Eye Cinema in Minneapolis.