Midday, the longest running MPR news program, began as an extension of a daily half hour noon newscast called “Midday Report.” In September 1971 it expanded into various longer iterations, running weekdays, as well as encompassing some weekend programming. During this period, it was described as: “A program of news and information, a calendar of the day’s cultural events and the environmental report.” In January 1972 the name changed to Midday, and a month later it was described as: “A program of news, consumer and environmental information, discussion of public issues, and reports by the MPR and NPR news staffs."
Separate MPR public affairs programming were featured, such as Spectrum, Sportfolio, MPR Special, Insight, Weekend, Forum, and MPR’s Mainstreet Radio, among others. Local programming was also featured, including Westminster Town Hall Forum, Carlson Lecture Series, Minnesota Meeting, Minnesota Press Club, and Mondale Policy Forum. National outside programming included Options, Horizons, Communique, National Press Club, Chappaqua Lecture, Ford Hall Forum, Commonwealth Club, among others; and interview shows from the likes of Studs Terkel, William F. Buckley and Nancy Fushan.
As the years progressed, the “Interview” and “Call-in” would become a regular format for Midday. Beginning in the mid-1970’s until 1992, Midday was hosted by Bob Potter, after which, Gary Eichten became the permanent host. Many guest hosts also participated over the years. During the Eichten era, Midday became a daily two-hour program staple, running from 11AM-1PM. Midday ended its run in January 2012, when long-time host Eichten retired.
December 26, 1980 - A presentation of excerpts from 1980 Minnesota Writers Conference, held in Rochester. Part two features remarks by writers Michael Dennis Browne, Carol Bly, Judith Guest, and John Judson. Beryl Byman was the writer, producer and director of program.
December 26, 1980 - MPR's Nancy Fushan looks at the highlights of the arts in the twin cities in 1980.
December 30, 1980 - Katherine Gray, director of research of the Ebenezer Society in Minneapolis , discusses help for families who are caring for disabled family members at home and answers live listener questions.
January 3, 1981 - Cyrus Colter, an African American novelist and short story writer reads the story A Chance Meeting from his award-winning short-fiction collection, The Beach Umbrella, in a live recording at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
January 3, 1981 - DFL speaker of the Minnesota house of representatives Harry Sieben and republican representative Mary Forsythe discuss the issues coming up in the 1981 legislative session.
January 6, 1981 - Dr. Sol Gordon, professor of child and family studies and director of the Institute for Family Research and Education at Syracuse University in New York, speaking at North Dakota State University. Gordon’s address is titled, "Ten Heavy Facts about Sex that College Students Don't Know." Gordon is well-known as an author and public speaker and has lectured widely on topics concerning the family.
January 7, 1981 - MPR coverage of Governor Al Quie's 1981 State of the State address. Following speech, MPR’s Pat Kessler and Bob Potter get commentary and reaction from the floor of the House.
January 8, 1981 - MPR's Nancy Fushan interviews poet Howard Nemerov, who reads from his works and explains some of his views of modern American poetry.
January 9, 1981 - Michael Langham, former artistic director of the Guthrie Theatre and its visiting director George Bernard Shaw's "Arms and the Man", talks with Nancy Fushan about his return to the Guthrie, his career, and his future plans.
January 10, 1981 - On this episode of the KCUR program New Letters on the Air, an interview with Richard Lee Rhodes, an American historian, journalist, and author of both fiction and non-fiction.