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 2, 1985 - On this Weekend program, MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Kathy Heidel, naturalist at the Lowry Nature Center, on what is going on with plant and animal life this time of year. Heidel also answers listener questions.
November 5, 1985 - Mike Steele, theater critic for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, and Roy Close, music critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, answer listener questions about developments in Twin Cities music, theater, and dance worlds, and about their jobs as critics.
November 6, 1985 - Wyman Spano and D.J. Leary, editors of the newsletter "Politics in Minnesota," discuss the outcome of Tuesday's general election, and about other political developments in Minnesota. Topics include historic low turnout and special interest groups. Spano and Leary also answer listener questions.
November 8, 1985 - MPR’s Mark Heistad unravels a chapter in Minnesota history and lore with documentary titled “A Story of Crime, Criminals and Corruption." Heistad tracked down numerous stories about some notorious gangsters in Minnesota, including John Dillinger shooting it out with G-Men in St. Paul, Al Capone buying moonshine in Stearns County, and Barker-Karpis gang vacationing in White Bear Lake.
November 9, 1985 - Dr. Robert Anderson, director of the University of Minnesota Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships, answers listener questions about dog and cat behavior problems.
November 11, 1985 - Tomie DePaola, children's book author and illustrator; and Al Greenfield, reading specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education, discuss reading and literacy. Other topics include wordless books and verbal skills. DePaola and Greenfield also answer listener questions about literacy problems for children and adults.
November 13, 1985 - Ray Glumack, chairman of the Metropolitan Airport Commission, answers listener questions about the continuing controversy over airport noise, the decision to begin pull-tab gambling at the charter terminal, and other matters.
November 14, 1985 - Dr. Wes Jackson, co-founder of the Land Institute, a non-profit educational research center in Salina, Kansas, gave closing address at major agricultural symposium at Concordia College in Moorhead. Jackson’s speech was titled "Food, Farming and the Future." Jackson is the author of three books: "Man and His Environment", "New Roots for Agriculture", and "Meeting the Expectations of the Land." He also teaches land stewardship and sustainable agriculture.
November 15, 1985 - Tony Bouza, Minneapolis police chief, discusses current law enforcement issues. Topics include 2nd precinct problems, pornography, and demonstrator arrests at Honeywell. Bouza also answers listener questions.
November 15, 1985 - MPR Special broadcast of the inauguration of Kenneth H. Keller as the twelfth president of the University of Minnesota, live from the Northrop Auditorium.