October 11, 2011 - Former GOP presidential candidate and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty sits down with MPR's Gary Eichten to reflect on his failed presidential bid, his two terms as governor, and his future career in or out of politics. This is the first public interview since he dropped out of the race for president.
October 12, 2011 - On this Midmorning creature feature, hear excerpts of Kerri Miller interviewing authors Justin Cronin, Daniel Wilson and Glen Duncan
October 17, 2011 - On this premiere episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson interviews members of Messiah's Men, a choir group of men brought together by the shared experience of escaping their civil war-ravaged homeland of Liberia.
October 27, 2011 - A new study led by University of Minnesota researchers shows that annual flu shots protect only about 59% of the population. How good are vaccines, and how important to public health? Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, provides insights on the effectiveness of vaccines.
November 1, 2011 - Midday looks back at the life and career of Tom Keith (aka Jim Ed Poole). He was known nationally as the sound effects man on A Prairie Home Companion. He also co-hosted The Morning Show on Minnesota Public Radio for 25 years. Friends and colleagues reminisce about the legendary radio personality. Program includes a profile of Tom Keith.
November 5, 2011 - Hundreds of Somalis filled the Brian Coyle Center in Minneapolis today to audition for a movie starring Tom Hanks. Casting consultants say Hanks will play Captain Richard Phillips, who was taken hostage in 2009 by Somali pirates. The movie is supposed to be shot next year in New Orleans. The casting auditions included a specific call for boys 7 to 10 years old. Eight year old Sadis Daurd waited for his turn for hours. He passed the time reading books and eating snacks.
November 8, 2011 - Native American activist Winona LaDuke speaks about the importance of Native American radio stations. LaDuke is one of the individuals behind starting station for White Earth reservation.
November 11, 2011 - On this special Veterans Day Midday program, a remembrance of legendary radio dramatist Norman Corwin with a short documentary on his career, and excerpts from his masterpiece, On a Note of Triumph, which remains the most listened to radio drama in U.S. history. Later in the hour, author Tim O'Brien reads and discusses his critically acclaimed short story collection on the Vietnam War, The Things They Carried.
November 14, 2011 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on the struggles Latino immigrants have with various health conditions and healthcare access. Like most people who immigrate to the U.S., Latino immigrants are usually healthier when they first arrive in the U.S. than U.S. born residents. But within a generation, many Latino immigrants lose that health advantage. And they are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes and other chronic diseases, compared to people who are born here.
November 18, 2011 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz. The two discuss the The congressional “supercommittee” efforts to cut the federal budget deficit by $1.2. Walz joined a bipartisan group urging the panel to "go big" and exceed the minimum target. During conversation, the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are addressed. Walz also answers listener questions.