May 30, 2007 - Nick Mancini, founder of St. Paul institution Mancini's Char House and Vegas Lounge, passed away at the age of 80. Over the years, his steaks and hospitality would make the restaurant a popular destination for politicians, athletes, and many loyal customers…one of whom is MPR's own Gary Eichten, who remembers how Mancini had a knack for keeping his customers happy.
June 4, 2007 - MPR's Laura McCallum profiles Bill Chorske, a retired Medtronic executive who has awarded scholarships to low-income students from Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis. Chorske graduated from Edison in 1954.
March 25, 2008 - Midday remembers Jon Hassler in his own words, rebroadcasting an interview he did with MPR in 1999. Midday host Mike Edgerly then talks with two of Hassler's longtime friends - Bill Holm, a fellow Minnesota literary figure and author of Windows of Brimnes: An American In Iceland;” and Nick Hayes, friend and colleague of Hassler, and a professor at St. John's University. The two remark on the impact of his work, both as a writer and a teacher.
April 1, 2008 - Midday remembers Ralph Rapson, the prolific architect and dean of the Architecture School at the University of Minnesota, who died on March 29th, 2008. Rapson may be best known for designing the first Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
June 3, 2008 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke profiles Minneapolis jazz musician Gordon Johnson. Gehrke interviews Johnson about his musical background, and other local musicians about Johnson’s playing.
June 11, 2008 - In this special music edition from MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, the spotlight shines on Minnesota gospel singer Tom Tipton and Celtic music performer Laura MacKenzie, both musicians who have become famous beyond Minnesota's borders.
July 2, 2008 - MPR’s Mark Steil profiles New Ulm’s Ali Bernard, the first Minnesota female Olympian to come out of the state's high school wrestling program.
July 23, 2008 - Seven Democrats are running in the September DFL primary in hopes of winning their party's nomination to take on Republican Senator Norm Coleman in the November election. Comedian and author Al Franken is the favorite to win that primary. Franken has raised millions of dollars, he has the DFL endorsement and he's a household name throughout the state. Of all of Franken's challengers, attorney Priscilla Lord Faris appears to be putting together the most aggressive primary campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik has this profile of Lord Faris.
September 17, 2008 - A day before his 85th birthday, former Republican Gov. Al Quie joins Midday to reflect on his years in office, as Governor and in Congress, as well as discuss the future of the Republican Party.
January 6, 2009 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen presents a profile of Carl Pohlad, local businessman and owner of the Minnesota Twins, who passed away on January 5th, 2009. Minnesotans in business, sports, and philanthropic circles are looking back on the life of Pohlad.