August 11, 2004 - Carl Eller, who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1964 to 1979, has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Midday takes a look at his acceptance speech, followed by an interview with Eller about football and race. He also takes questions from MPR listeners.
August 19, 2004 - Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling joins Gary Eichten to answer questions from MPR listeners about buying WCAL and a range of other topics.
August 24, 2004 - In April of 1971, John Kerry gave a speech before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations about war crimes that other soldiers serving in Vietnam allegedly committed. That testimony is the focus of a Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ad that claims Kerry "dishonored his country and more importantly the people he served with." On this Talk of Minnesota, Midday plays the ad alongside Kerry's testimony, and opens the phone lines to get listeners' reaction.
August 26, 2004 - Mark Seeley presents his annual “Take the Weather Quiz” to the audience at the State Fair. Topics include history of State Fair weather, cold temperature ranges, possible El Nino, and snow forecast for upcoming winter. Seeley also answers audience questions.
August 26, 2004 - In a live Midday broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair, Susan Gaertner, district attorney for Ramsey County; and Amy Klobuchar, district attorney for Hennepin County, discuss trends and issues in Minnesota law enforcement.
October 19, 2004 - Maureen Shaver, Republican activist and former capitol lobbyist, and Amy Klobuchar, Democrat and Hennepin County Attorney, discuss upcoming Minnesota and national 2004 elections. Shaver and Klobuchar also answer listener questions.
March 10, 2005 - The main character in Minnesota author Bart Schneiders' new novel, "beautiful Inez," seems to have it all. She's a beautiful violinist with the San Francisco Symphony in the 1960s. Inez has a flourishing career, two children and a powerful husband. Yet she's unhappy. Schneider says his father spent 50-years playing the violin with the San Francisco Symphony. He says this "behind the scene access" to the world of classical music helped to shape the novel. Schneider told Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham that Inez uses music and relationships to try to grasp happiness.
September 2, 2005 - It's Minnesota Public Radio Day at the Minnesota State Fair and Governor Tim Pawlenty takes the stage at Carousel Park to answer questions from his constituents. Topics include stadiums, Hurricane Katrina disaster, death penalty, Minnesota National Guard, and taxes amongst others.
September 27, 2005 - Minnesota-born journalist and Washington insider Al Eisele stepped down this September as editor of the influential political newspaper he co-founded, "The Hill." Eisele's career traced a broad arc, from dabbling in minor league baseball, to covering the White House, to working there as press secretary for Vice President Walter Mondale.
October 11, 2005 - Jerry Bell, president of Twins Sports Incorporated, visits Midday to discuss the team and elusive new stadium. Bell also answers listener call-in questions.