January 16, 1997 - Midday features live coverage of Governor Arne Carlson's State of the State address. He speaks in the Minnesota House Chamber well over an hour. Highlights of speech include a state disaster fund, property tax reform, crime control, welfare reform, arts funding, and Twins stadium.
January 14, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten discusses crime, criminal defense, punishment, and crime prevention with newly-appointed Hennepin County Chief Public Defender William McGee. Program includes listener call-in questions.
January 9, 1997 - Midday looks at the proposal for a new Twins ballpark and the surrounding financial details with guests Gene Merriam, Minnesota Senate Finance Committee Chairman; and MPR reporter Bill Wareham. Program also includes short interviews with key individuals on proposal and listener call-in questions.
January 7, 1997 - On the opening day of the Minnesota Legislature, a Midday discussion with key legislators on the major issues coming up this session: taxes, welfare reform, education, crime, and Twins stadium. Program also includes an interview with Governor Arne Carlson about his hopes for the 1997-98 and a short profile on two new legislators.
January 6, 1997 - Midday guests Peter Hart and Bill McInturff, national polling experts, answer questions about polling and talk about their new poll of Minnesota business leaders' opinions on dozens of issues, covering everything from Governor Carlson and taxes, to a stadium for the Twins and the quality of education.
January 2, 1997 - Midday discusses the year in sports with Minnesota Public Radio sports analyst Howard Sinker. Sinker and MPR’s Gary Eichten review the events of the past year, and look ahead to the rest of the year. Topics include the battle over stadium public financing for Minnesota Twins and/or Minnesota Vikings.
December 30, 1996 - A year-in-review Midday program about key issues in the field of biomedical ethics. Guest Arthur Caplan, former University of Minnesota bioethicist and now director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses assisted suicide and answers listener questions.
December 19, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Farrell talks about the controversy over adjusting the Consumer Price Index and the economic, political, and personal finance implications of these changes. Dale Jorgenson, professor of economics department at Harvard University and a member of the Commission which concluded that the CPI overstates inflation; and Judith Brown, former president of AARP, join Farrell to discuss CPI.
December 13, 1996 - Midday airs the Governor's "State of the Arts" address", given Thursday at the Children's Theater in Minneapolis. Guest is State Senator Dick Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), chairman of the State Government Finance Committee which will oversee the budget of the State Arts Board.
December 5, 1996 - Midday discusses the various changes being proposed for Minnesota's education system with guest Joe Nathan, the director of the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. Nathan also answers listener call-in questions.