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.
November 28, 1985 - A special Thanksgiving presentation of “Blessing of the Fields,” a documentary program about how farming has changed over the years in our region especially the change from horse power to tractor power. That transition was one of the most important factors leading to the Midwest's amazingly productive agricultural system. But it had other affects - not all of them as highly thought of.
December 5, 1985 - Jonathan Kozol speaking at a meeting hosted by the Minnesota Literacy Council. Kozol’s address was on illiteracy in United States. Kozol is a graduate of Harvard University. He is a Rhodes Scholar and has taught at Yale. Kozol has been researching illiteracy problems for more than two decades. His newest book is entitled "Illiterate America".
December 5, 1985 - John Mack Draper, president of a telecommunications service bureau, Pro Rate, Inc., and Ray Bohn, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Service, answer listener questions about telephone deregulation, rates, and choices.
December 9, 1985 - Irwin Jacobs, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Minstar Incorporated, and president of the Jacobs Management Corporation, and Raymond Plank, chairman and chief executive officer of Apache Corporation debate at Minnesota Meeting. The topic of debate was “Corporate Takeovers: Who Wins? Who Loses?" Irwin Jacobs is a well-known corporate raider. Raymond Plank is the founder and co-chair of Stakeholders in American, a national coalition of CEOs that attempts to counter hostile takeover attempts. Ted Weyerhaeuser, chairman of Minnesota Meeting, moderated. Minnesota Meeting is a non-profit corporation which hosts a wide range of public speakers. It is managed by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
December 13, 1985 - Harlan Cleveland, former associate secretary of state and U.S. ambassador to NATO, answers listener questions about current world events, U.S./Soviet relations, terrorism, and prospects for world peace.
December 16, 1985 - Our guests today on Midday returned last week from a trip to Central America, specifically the countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. They went as part of a group of lawyers, lawmakers, and human rights activists, sponsored by the Minnesota Lawyers Committee for International Human Rights. The group met with some very influential people, among them Salvadoran president Jose Napolean Duarte and Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega. Here to tell us about their experiences are Joel Mugge, who is the director of the Center for Global Services and Education at Augsburg College, and Hennepin County attorney Tom Johnson.
December 27, 1985 - MPR’s Stephen Smith presents the documentary "Shelter for the Night," which examines the plight of the homeless over a period of 12 hours in the St. Stephen's Emergency Shelter.
December 27, 1985 - A Midday program on the subject of homelessness.The first part of program presents Stephen Smith’s documentary report "Shelter for the Night," which examines the plight of the homeless over a period of 12 hours in the St. Stephen's Emergency Shelter. Following documentary, Mary Jo Jackson, director of Housing Resource Program for Lutheran Social Services and 1986 chair-elect of the Minneapolis Coalition for the Homeless, discusses the homeless problem in Minnesota and what can be done about it. Jackson also answers listener questions. Homeless, discusses the homeless problem in Minnesota and what can be done about it. Jackson also answers listener questions.
January 4, 1986 - On this Weekend program, Futurist Arthur Harkins discusses how new technology and other changes will affect people's personal relationships in the future. Topics include growth in use of information technology, social dynamics, and personal commitments. Harkins also answers listener questions.
January 7, 1986 - Dr. Michael Boehlje, chairman of Dept of Agriculture and Applied Economics U oh MN, discusses the farm problem in Minnesota, and its greater impact. Boehlje also answers listener questions.