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.
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.
March 6, 2008 - R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, discusses crime and the economy with Midday host Gary Eichten. Other topics include bridge collapse and city initiatives. Rybak also answers listener questions.
March 4, 2008 - Members of the Minnesota 8, anti-war activists who were sentenced to prison for destroying draft files during the Vietnam War, join Midday to discuss their story, which is the subject of a play at the History Theater, titled Peace Crimes: The Minnesota 8. The two guests, Bill Tilton and Frank Kroncke, also answer listener questions.
October 11, 2007 - Duluth won't see any big ships going under the city's landmark aerial bridge for most of today, tomorrow and early next week. The span is getting a special inspection, following the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Aerial bridge supervisor, Ryan Beamer, says larger vessels will have to wait, or go elsewhere, between eight a.m. and four p.m.
October 3, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers, investigating the 35-W bridge collapse, meets for the first time this morning 11am-1pm at the Minnesota Capitol. Co-chair, DFL Representative Bernie Lieder, of Crookston, says the focus will be on MN-DOT's bridge inspection program--not the collapse of the 35-W bridge itself.
September 5, 2007 - Crews this week are inspecting the Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Structural problems were found many years ago, but repairs were made, and state officials say the bridge is safe. But, MnDOT spokesman, Kent Barnard, says the agency is taking another look after the 35W bridge collapse:
August 29, 2007 - What was Minnesota like 150 years ago? What were the events and trends that changed Minnesota since then? Annette Atkins, professor of History at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota;" and Brian Horrigan, historian, author, and exhibit developer at Minnesota Historical Society.
August 23, 2007 - Mark Seeley, climatologist and meteorologist at the University of Minnesota, stops by the MPR booth at the State Fair to answer listeners' questions about the weather and to ask weather quiz questions. Topics include extreme rainfall differentials across the state and climate change, amongst others.
July 4, 2007 - While the issue of immigration spurs heated debate across the country, the stories of how and why people choose the United States as their home lay the foundation of America. On this Independence Day, Midday invites immigrants Zainab Hassan, Roberto Fonts, and Kaiser Haque to share their reasons for wanting to become Americans.