November 26, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten speaks with newly re-elected U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, whose in the studio to answer questions about issues that will come up in the next session of Congress. Wellstone also answers listener call-in questions.
November 27, 1996 - Midday looks at car safety devices and good winter driving techniques. Studio guests are Sergeant Randy Slinger of the Minnesota State Patrol; and Nancy Frank Skala, safety program coordinator for the Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety. Slinger and Skala discuss air bags, seatbelts, speeding, and ice. They also answer listeners questions.
December 5, 1996 - Midday discusses the various changes being proposed for Minnesota's education system with guest Joe Nathan, the director of the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. Nathan also answers listener call-in questions.
December 19, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Farrell talks about the controversy over adjusting the Consumer Price Index and the economic, political, and personal finance implications of these changes. Dale Jorgenson, professor of economics department at Harvard University and a member of the Commission which concluded that the CPI overstates inflation; and Judith Brown, former president of AARP, join Farrell to discuss CPI.
December 30, 1996 - A year-in-review Midday program about key issues in the field of biomedical ethics. Guest Arthur Caplan, former University of Minnesota bioethicist and now director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses assisted suicide and answers listener questions.
January 2, 1997 - Midday discusses the year in sports with Minnesota Public Radio sports analyst Howard Sinker. Sinker and MPR’s Gary Eichten review the events of the past year, and look ahead to the rest of the year. Topics include the battle over stadium public financing for Minnesota Twins and/or Minnesota Vikings.
January 6, 1997 - Midday guests Peter Hart and Bill McInturff, national polling experts, answer questions about polling and talk about their new poll of Minnesota business leaders' opinions on dozens of issues, covering everything from Governor Carlson and taxes, to a stadium for the Twins and the quality of education.
January 9, 1997 - Midday looks at the proposal for a new Twins ballpark and the surrounding financial details with guests Gene Merriam, Minnesota Senate Finance Committee Chairman; and MPR reporter Bill Wareham. Program also includes short interviews with key individuals on proposal and listener call-in questions.
January 14, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten discusses crime, criminal defense, punishment, and crime prevention with newly-appointed Hennepin County Chief Public Defender William McGee. Program includes listener call-in questions.
January 22, 1997 - Bill Kling, president of Minnesota Public Radio, appears on Midday to talk about MPR's 30th anniversary, the future of public radio, and answers listener questions. Host Gary Eichten begins conversation by asking Kling about the first day on air.