February 29, 1996 - Robert Reich, U.S. Secretary of Labor, joins Midday from Washington D.C. to talk about his proposals to address the economic insecurity many Americans face, the unemployment situation, and to answer listener questions.
September 30, 1996 - A special Midday re-broadcast of national "Congressional Debate" in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Debate features Newt Gingrich, speaker of the House; Trent Lott, Senate majority leader; Tom Daschle, Senate minority leader; and Dick Gephardt, House minority leader. Topics include Medicare, Family First, tax credits, terrorism, and environment. Debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer, host of PBS’s NewsHour. After debate, political analysts Tom Horner and Bob Meek provide commentary on debates and report on the congressional elections in Minnesota.
September 30, 1996 - A special extended Midday program about 1996 election with two debates and commentary.
October 7, 1996 - Midday presents a rebroadcast of the first Presidential debate between President Bill Clinton and his Republican challenger Bob Dole. The debate was held at Bushnell Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. Debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer, host of PBS’s NewsHour.
October 8, 1996 - Midday presents a live broadcast from St. Cloud of the U.S. Senate debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters. The three major party candidates participate: DFL U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, Republican Rudy Boschwitz, and Reform Party candidate Dean Barkley.
October 10, 1996 - Midday presents a rebroadcast of the vice-presidential debate between Vice President Al Gore and his republican challenger, former Congressman Jack Kemp. The debate was held at St. Petersburg, Florida. Debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer, host of PBS’s NewsHour.
October 17, 1996 - Midday presents a rebroadcast of the second and final Presidential debate between President Bill Clinton and his Republican challenger Bob Dole. The townhall debate was held at Shiley Theatre, University of San Diego. Debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer, host of PBS’s NewsHour.
April 30, 1997 - Midday focuses on the discussion at the state Legislature about the future of a new baseball stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Host Gary Eichten speaks with MPR reporter Bill Wareham, who presents a summary of the various proposals and audio clips of committee debate. Ideas presented include gambling revenue options, cheaper alternatives to a stadium, buying a team, selling Metrodome to teams for $1.00, and buying season tickets.
October 28, 1997 - Midday offers live two-hour coverage of the legislative Special Session with a debate on the Twins ballpark/stadium in the Minnesota Senate. Debate includes gambling as a funding source. MPR reporter Martin Kaste joins Gary Eichten to provide analysis as debate plays out.
July 2, 1998 - Midday presents a broadcast of the Minnesota Citizens Forum gubernatorial debate held within state office building at State Capitol. The six DFL candidates, Skip Humphrey III, Doug Johnson, Mark Dayton, Mike Freeman, Ted Mondale, John Marty, and Independent candidate, Jesse Ventura, attended. (Republican Norm Coleman did not accept invitation) Candidates spoke and answered questions from four groups of citizen panelists gathered throughout the state. Lori Sturdevant, of the Star Tribune, moderated debate.