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.
February 21, 1987 - On this Weekend program, Dr. Susan Erbaugh, director of Mental Health Services at Minneapolis Children's Medical Center, discusses infant through adolescent mental health. Topics include teenage suicide, two-home family dynamics, discipline, sibling relationships, and support systems.
February 23, 1987 - Donald Gillmor, director of the Silha Center for Media Ethics and the Law at the University of Minnesota, and associate director Theodore Glasser, discuss ethics in journalism.
March 15, 1987 - Bruce Watson, consulting meteorologist in the Twin Cities, discusses various topics, including tornados, weather patterns, and meteors. Watson also answered listener questions.
March 16, 1987 - The controversial bill allowing for the release of $24 million from the 2002 Fund for economic development on the Iron Range was recalled from the House during Senate session. News of an FBI probe of Endotronics, Inc., that surfaced after the Senate had voted final passage on the measure, prompted Majority Leader Roger Moe to make the motion for recall. The recall motion prevailed on a 51-15 roll call vote.
March 21, 1987 - Dr. Michael Till, professor and head of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Minnesota, answers listener questions about new developments in dentistry for both kids and adults.
April 4, 1987 - On this Sportfolio program, Bowie Kuhn, former MLB commissioner, discusses baseball and memoir, “Hardball: The Education of a Baseball Commissioner.” Kuhn also answers listener questions.
April 4, 1987 - Weekend presents an interview with Eugene McCarthy, who comments on people in politics that have made an impression on him over the years. McCarthy talks about Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Rayburn, Humphrey, and Mondale. He also tells us his view of the press and the state of politics today.
April 6, 1987 - Barbara Anderson with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Arthur Himmelman, senior fellow at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute and Larry Kegan, a quadriplegic living at home, answer questions about home care for the disabled.
April 7, 1987 - Judith Guest speaking at the Walker Art Center, April 7, 1987 and aired on Memorial Day. Guest’s address is her essay “The Mythic Family.”
April 7, 1987 - Dr. David Henry Feldman and Dr. Sylvia Feinburg, members of the department of child study at Tufts University, discuss childhood development and creativity. Topics include prodigies, autism, art, and gender differences. Feldman and Feinberg also answer listener questions.