October 9, 2007 - The plans have been unveiled, the contract is signed, and in spite of legal threats from contractors who lost the bidding process, surveying begins Tuesday for the new 35W bridge. Where does funding stand for the bridge project and other transportation priorities in Minnesota? The designers of the 35W bridge presented two options for the concrete piers that support the structure. A discussion on Midday.
October 3, 2007 - Elaine Pagels won a National Book Award for "The Gnostic Gospels," an analysis of early Christian manuscripts that were unearthed in Egypt. She is professor of religion at Princeton University, and speaks at the Westminster Town Hall Forum. Her New York Times bestseller, "Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas" (2003), focuses on claims to ultimate truth.
October 3, 2007 - The DFL heads of the state House and Senate join Midday to discuss the ongoing controversy over funding to rebuild the collapsed 35W bridge, as well as the state's transportation funding in general.
October 2, 2007 - Discusses preservation issues in Minnesota and beyond, and what's in store for the 2007 National Preservation Conference being held in the Twin Cities. Richard Moe is a former chief of staff to Vice President Walter Mondale and a member of the Carter White House senior staff. Guest: Richard Moe: Former chief of staff to Vice President Walter Mondale and a member of the Carter White House senior staff, Moe has headed the National Trust for Historic Preservation since January 1993.
August 31, 2007 - On this special Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Garrison Keillor on the Carousel Park stage at the Minnesota State Fair.
August 29, 2007 - Minnesota's Constitution was signed 150 years ago on Aug. 29, and the state is preparing to celebrate its sesquicentennial next year. What was Minnesota like 150 years ago? What were the events and trends that changed Minnesota since then?
August 17, 2007 - Catastrophes, such as the I-35W bridge collapse and 9/11, raise the question of how much the government should invest in the safety and security of its population. But safety may come at a cost too great for the government to bear. Panelists discussed the issue along with members of the public at Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum.
August 16, 2007 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who has had to realign his budget priorities to consider road maintenance and repair in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse. Rybak hopes a Special Session at the State Capitol will help solve some of the city's financial burdens.
August 15, 2007 - Midday previews legislative hearings on new I-35W bridge reconstruction plans in a joint House-Senate transportation committee meeting, now that state transportation officials have unveiled a preliminary design. Gary Eichten talks with numerous legislators and takes listener calls.
August 14, 2007 - With recovery efforts taking place at the site of the I-35W bridge collapse, Midday discusses ambiguous loss and how to be resilient in the face of trauma. Guest Pauline Boss, University of Minnesota professor emeritus of Family Social Science, discusses loss involving missing loved ones.