MPR News Announces Launch of "The Daily Circuit" Tuesday, Feb. 21

Jan 30, 2012

(St. Paul, Minn.)--Jan. 23, 2012--MPR News announced today the launch of "The Daily Circuit," a news-talk program to air weekdays 9 a.m.-noon, starting Tuesday, Feb. 21.

"The Daily Circuit" will feature Kerri Miller, the well known and highly regarded host of "Midmorning" and will introduce a new talent, MPR News' Tom Weber. This combination will provide audiences with a new and rich listening experience.

Like "Midmorning" and "Midday," "The Daily Circuit" will be a premier destination for important newsmakers, attracting and presenting A-list political figures, thought leaders, authors and other community members.

In each of the three hours of the show, "The Daily Circuit" will dive deep into a topic, with shorter features and newscasts rounding out the hour. This will bring MPR News audiences more topics, more guests and more insightful news and information on issues that matter most. The show will have an energetic pace while maintaining MPR News' devotion to depth and insight.

Using multiple media - radio, the Internet, social media and mobile devices - "The Daily Circuit" will always be "on." Audiences can participate during the program and in conversations throughout the day.

"We're creating a show that builds on MPR News' tradition of excellence, while giving audiences more choice in how they access and involve themselves with news topics and news makers," said Tim Roesler, senior vice president and general manager, MPR. "Kerri Miller was a natural choice for this challenge - she's long been a strength of our news programming. MPR News' Tom Weber is a great addition to the show, with his engaging style and reputation for excellent reporting."

"We want the show to be essential listening for Minnesota," Miller said. "Our goal every day will be to make radio that's relevant, and has the depth and civility you expect from MPR News."

More about MPR News' weekday programming schedule
From today until Monday, Feb. 20, MPR News will broadcast a special 2012 Winter season of "Midday" featuring some surprising guest hosts, co-hosts and guests. These broadcasts will feature special themes, including politics and the arts, and will continue to provide daily examinations of news events and conversations with news makers.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, "The Daily Circuit" will launch and be on air 9 a.m.-noon.

Immediately following "The Daily Circuit," the noon - 1 p.m. hour will become "MPR News Presents." In the great tradition of "Midday," this show will feature important speeches, documentaries and news events involving thought-leaders and public officials. Gary Eichten's long-time producer, Sara Meyer, has been appointed MPR News' senior producer for public affairs and will produce and direct "MPR News Presents."

MPR News programming is heard on MPR's statewide news network stations, including KNOW 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities.

More about Kerri Miller
Kerri Miller joined MPR in June 2004 as host of MPR's "Midmorning" weekday news and talk program and Talking Volumes book club series. She has been a radio and television news reporter since 1981. Before joining KARE-11 in 1996 and serving as its long-time political reporter, Miller was a reporter at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis and KTUL-TV in Tulsa. She has won numerous awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists National Achievement Award, Minnesota Broadcasters Award, the Associated Press Award and a Gracie award from the Association of Women in Radio and Television. Kerri Miller can be found on Twitter @KerriMPR.

More about Tom Weber
Tom Weber joined MPR News in Jan. 2008 as a reporter on the K-12 education beat. In 2011, Weber was the lead reporter on MPR News' investigation into Minnesota's anti-bullying law, a ground-breaking report that has prompted new proposals and vigorous debate. He was a morning news anchor and reporter for KWMU St. Louis Public Radio for more than five years. His work has aired on a number of national programs, including "Morning Edition" and "Marketplace." He has won the regional Edward R. Murrow awards for writing and use of sound. Originally from the Chicago area, Weber has served as a guest lecturer on various media subjects, including at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, India. Follow Tom Weber on Twitter @webertom1.

More about Gary Eichten's continued involvement with MPR News
Gary Eichten, former host of "Midday," will continue to lend his talents to MPR News. Eichten will host a short series of conversations at The Fitzgerald Theater called "The Political Condition" through this presidential election year. In the series, Eichten will interview nationally prominent political figures on the political process and issues the nation faces. The schedule of events and guests is being finalized.

Eichten will also serve as "editor at large" in the newsroom, where he will engage with our journalists on a regular basis and continue to give feedback on news coverage and events. In addition, Eichten has agreed to mentor talent.