September 8, 1989 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen presents the documentary “Dancing on Beat: Portrait of a Reservation Family,” which follows the daily life of an Ojibwe family on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Following documentary, Midday’s Bob Potter interviews Mike Bongo, director of American Indian OIC in Minneapolis, about his thoughts about documentary.
September 2, 1989 - Hyman Berman, history professor at University of Minnesota, discusses Minnesota's colorful labor history and the context that provides for current labor issues. Berman also answers listener questions.
July 26, 1989 - On this Midday program, conductor Leonard Slatkin, who is concluding his tenure as artistic director of the Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest, has a conversation with MPR’s Bob Potter and answers listener questions about his approach to music making.
May 26, 1989 - A tribute to the late University of Minnesota political science professor, Mulford Q. Sibley. Program features his popular speech entitled, "My Last Lecture," as well as excerpts from an interview on Midday in June, 1982, and excerpts from a call-in program.
May 6, 1989 - Don Willeke, chairman of the Minnesota State Shade Tree Advisory Committee; and Dr. David French, professor of plant pathology and forestry resources at the University of Minnesota, discuss tree diseases, treatments, and tree planting at the start of Arbor Month. Willeke and French also answer listener questions.
April 4, 1989 - Midday highlights the controversy surrounding an increase in the minimum wage. It's being debated in the individual states and in the Congress - the U.S. House recently voted to increase the minimum wage, and the Senate is expected to take up the issue this week. The Bush administration has threatened a veto if the bill is not to its liking. Program begins with an independently produced documentary called "Minimum Wage: Maximum Controversy". Documentary is followed with MPR’s Bob Potter talking with Ken Peterson, Minnesota's Labor and Industry Commissioner; and John Fossum, director of the Industrial Relations Center at the University of Minnesota. "Minimum Wage: Maximum Controversy" was written and produced by Carlos Davidson, an independent producer in California. The narrator was Charles Bloomer. Funding was provided by the Eastman Fund, The Funding Exchange, Nu Lambda Trust, the Skaggs Foundation and the Vanguard Foundation.
March 28, 1989 - James Oberstar, Minnesota congressman and chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, discusses current air travel safety issues, including airport security, aging aircraft, and airplane maintenance. Oberstar also answers listener questions.
March 18, 1989 - Joe Nathan, director of Center for School Change, discusses school choice in the public education system. Nathan also answers listener questions. Nathan is the author of "Public Schools by Choice: Expanding Opportunities for Parents Students and Teachers."
March 7, 1989 - Dean Abrahamson, professor of public affairs and director of the Global Environmental Policy Project at the Humphrey Institute, discusses the latest developments in the global warming crisis. Topics include CFCs, debate on average temperature rise, climate patterns, and the future consequences. Abrahamson also answers listener questions.
February 21, 1989 - A Soundprint program. Playwright August Wilson is one of the most celebrated writers in contemporary American theater. At one time he was also one of Minnesota's most famous residents. August Wilson lived in St. Paul for more than a decade. It was here that Wilson wrote many of his major plays including two Pulitzer Prize winners.