October 13, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Neil Witikko, Minnesota's teacher of the year. Witikko teaches English, German, and television production at Hermantown High School. Listeners call in with questions.
October 13, 1997 - In the two decades since their arrival in the United States, the Hmong have established themselves as a part of America's ethnic landscape. They've created businesses, festivals, and radio and t-v programs. But perhaps one area in which they've been slower to integrate is medicine. There are just a handful of Hmong doctors nationwide, possibly due to their relatively short tenure in the United States. But Journalist Anne Fadiman points out it could also be attributed to the vast gulf between traditional Hmong medicine and Western medicine. Fadiman followed a California family who had a disastrous experience when their daughter Lia began having epileptic seizures. Her story is told in a new book called "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors and the Collision of Two Cultures"
October 14, 1997 - Midday discusses qualifications of school board members and issues they must be prepared to address with guests Jan Rhode, director of board training and development for the Minnesota School Boards Association; and State Representative Mindy Greiling, who was a member of the Roseville School Board for many years. Listeners also call in with questions.
October 14, 1997 - Midday guest Andrew Tobias, a personal finance writer, talks about his book My Vast Fortune. Tobias wrote the best-selling book The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need, and beginning in the fall, is the host of a public television series Beyond Wall Street. Listeners call in with questions.
October 15, 1997 - Midday talks with Martha Raddatz, National Public Radio's Pentagon correspondent, about covering the military. Topics include the art of listening, gender, and access. Raddatz also answers listener call-in questions.
October 16, 1997 - If you're an experimental composer with classical roots, you'll probably face an uphill battle finding performance venues. The problem of getting your music heard may be compounded if you're a woman. Avant Fest, which opened last night at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis, pairs three female-led bands from Minneapolis with three from New York.
October 16, 1997 - Midday looks at the University of Minnesota and its future. The first part of the program features a discussion with Mark Yudof, University of Minnesota president, on the eve of his installation as the University of Minnesota's 14th president.
October 17, 1997 - Midday examines the quality of new home construction in Minnesota, including how to determine good quality and how to deal with faulty construction with guests Dean Flackey, the president of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and contractor with Lifestyle Homes; and Scott Borchert, of the State Commerce Department, which oversees building contractors. Listeners call in with questions.
October 20, 1997 - As part of Minnesota Public Radio's "Minnesota Family Strength Project," Midday features a discussion about the role of extended family with guest Miriam Reibold, past president of the Minnesota Senior Federation. Program also includes listeners call-in with questions.
October 21, 1997 - Midday discusses new federal guidelines affecting immigrants with guests Jennifer Prestholdt, director of Refugee and Immigrant Program at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights; and Loan Huynh, legal and advocacy director at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.