August 29, 1996 - Midday presents Walter Mondale, former vice president and U.S. ambassador to Japan, speaking at Minnesota Meeting held at Marriott Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Mondale’s address focuses on America’s relationship with Japan and Asia as a whole. After speech, Mondale answers questions from the audience.
August 23, 1996 - Garrison Keillor hosts his annual “Minnesota Quiz” in MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Audience members try to answer various questions about for prizes. Topics of quiz include state history, sports, weather and arts. Gary Eichten briefly closes out program.
August 21, 1996 - Midday examines The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). As President Clinton prepares to sign it, guests Jim Koppell, member of the Children's Defense Fund and a vice president at the MN Hospital and Health Care Partnership; and former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger, discuss its impact on the public. Koppell and Durenberger also answer listener questions.
August 20, 1996 - MPR’s Garrison Keillor interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning oral historian, Studs Terkel, as part of the Portland Arts and Lectures Series. Terkel talked about his life and family, and his days in radio. Studs Terkel is the author of several best-selling books including Race, and Working, and The Good War: An Oral History of World War II, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize.
August 15, 1996 - Chris Farrell, MPR's senior business and economics editor, discusses proposals being put forth by the Republicans and the Democrats this election year dealing with taxes and the economy. Listeners call in with questions.
August 9, 1996 - On this Midday program, a discussion on past, present, and future life on Mars with guest Robert Pepin, a University of Minnesota physics professor who has been involved in space research for several decades. Pepin also answers listener questions.
August 8, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steven Young visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, polls, and voter pessimism.
August 6, 1996 - In connection with "National Night Out,” Midday presents a program about the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts. Studio guests Travis Christopher, member of the Brooklyn Park Police Department and president of the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association; and St. Paul Police Lieutenant Richard Gardell share their insights and answer listener questions.
August 1, 1996 - Midday presents a Twin Cities speech by Yale University professor Theodore Marmor entitled America’s Misunderstood Welfare State. Marnor speaks about the controversies over welfare reform, medical care, and social security. Professor Marmor speech was at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute.
July 31, 1996 - "Garden guru" University of Minnesota Extension Horticulturist Deb Brown visits Midday to answer questions about lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs.