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.
March 15, 1981 - This Midday program looks at the relationship between creativity and politics in the life and work of some Latin American novelists currently living in the United States.
March 16, 1981 - Matt Walton, Director of Minnesota's Geological Survey, answers live listener questions on the search for permanent storage of nuclear wastes in Minnesota.
March 20, 1981 - Bill Nunn, who writes a gardening column, discusses horticultural practices on the first day of spring.
March 21, 1981 - On this episode of the KCUR program Letters on the Air, a profile of poet John Knoepfle, who talks briefly about his poetry and reads a number of his poems, including those entitled “After Gray Days,” “Pilgrims' Day,” and a found poem based on speech by an old chief of the Winnebago Indians in 1836.
March 21, 1981 - 5th district democrat Rep. Martin Sabo and and 3rd district republican Rep. Bill Frenzel with moderator Bob Potter along with listener participation. They discuss the budget, foreign policy, and other issues.
March 25, 1981 - Dr. Dan Kohen, a member of the Children's Health Center child abuse team speaks on the subject of child abuse and answers listeners questions.
March 31, 1981 - MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews St. Paul native Gerry Spiess, who talks about his solo voyage across the Atlantic in a boat he built himself named "Yankee Girl". Spiess also discusses his plans for his next journey with "Yankee Girl", this time across the Pacific ocean with stops in Hawaii, Samoa, and Australia.
April 4, 1981 - On this episode of the KCUR program Letters on the Air, an interview and reading with writer and artist George Hitchcock. New Letters on the Air is an audio literary magazine exploring the works of American writers and comes from New Letters magazine, a literary quarterly of fine writing published at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
April 7, 1981 - Humanist Bruce Bomier shares his views on teen sex. Bomier sees something missing in sex education…learning about relationships.
April 9, 1981 - Coverage of a press conference on the state budget held at the state capitol. Minnesota's Commissioners of Revenue and Finance hold a press conference to announce the shortfall and anticipated deficit in state revenue.