April 5, 2013 - Grab a hot," -- means to get a meal. Here's another example -- "Collar a nod," is get some sleep. Those are both examples of the African-American dialect anthropologist and author Zora Neale Hurston wrote down during the early 1900's. Many of the expressions are gone. But they have new life on stage at the Penumbra Theater's production of Spunk in St. Paul.
March 9, 2012 - Two interviews from our Minnesota Voices series on the history of political protest in Minnesota. The program begins with a remembrance of anti-war protester and civil rights activist Marv Davidof who died recently. Reporter Dan Olson also interviews historian Rhoda Gilman, who's out with a new book, "Stand Up: the Story of Minnesota's Protest Tradition."
April 21, 2009 - Two girls, Sabina Zimering and Lucy Smith, hid from the Nazis in Poland during World War II. They survived the Holocaust and live in Minnesota today. Zimering wrote her story in the book, "Hiding in the Open." Both women were interviewed by MPR's Dan Olson for the "Voices of Minnesota" series.
December 25, 2008 - Midday features three stories of the Christmas season. Garrison Keillor has a special Christmas Day edition of "the News from Lake Wobegon," MPR's Dan Olson reads the famous 1897 New York Sun letter, "Is there a Santa Claus?," and Truman Capote reads "A Christmas Memory."
December 5, 2008 - Midday presents a "Voices of Minnesota" interview with Dave Tilman and Deborah Swackhamer. The two University of Minnesota professors discuss climate change and other environmental issues.
September 30, 2008 - his episode of MPR's Voices of Minnesota features conversations with Art Aufderheide and Clarke Chambers, two detectives of sorts. Aufderheide is world famous for his study of mummies and the diseases that killed them. Chambers is a historian and the founder of a one-of-a-kind archive of social welfare history in this country.
August 1, 2008 - Memorial Service 1 year after I-35W bridge collapse. Broadcast: Midday, 08/01/2008, 11:00 a.m. Broadcast: All Things Considered, 08/01/2008, 4:44 p.m. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mayor R. T. Rybak and local religious leaders speak in observance of the 1 year anniversary of the I-35W bridge collapse. From the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis, an hour of songs, prayers and reflection. Live service continues into first five minutes of Midday Hr 2. Guests: Tim Pawlenty: Governor of Minnesota. R. T. Rybak: Minneapolis Mayor. Sally Dyck: United Methodist Church Bishop and president of the Minnesota Council of Churches. John Bauer: Father, co-pastor of Basilica of St. Mary.
July 30, 2008 - Midday remembers Harrison Bud Tordoff, who died last week, with a special rebroadcast from MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series. Tordoff was known as the man who saved the peregrine falcons in Minnesota. Before becoming an acclaimed ornithologist, Harrison Tordoff was a decorated fighter pilot during World War II. Also part of this series is an interview with Minnesota nature photographer Jim Brandenburg.
June 11, 2008 - In this special music edition from Minnesota Public Radio'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.
April 9, 2008 - Five religious women speak about their views on social justice. Four of them are sisters, and also Catholic nuns. The Rev. Peg Chemberlin is president-elect of the National Council of Churches. Guests: Kate, Rita, Brigid & Jane McDonald: Sisters and Catholic nuns, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul. Rev. Peg Chemberlin: President-elect, National Council of Churches. Executive director, Minnesota Council of Churches.