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 17, 1987 - Roger Fisher, head of the Harvard Negotiation Project and author of "Getting to Yes," speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Fisher’s address was on the topic " is "Negotiating with the Russians and Your Spouse: Is There A Difference?" After speech, Fisher answered audience questions. 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.
November 18, 1987 - An audio tour of the Mississippi River with naturalist Kathy Heidel.
November 23, 1987 - Political activists Marcy Leier and Sue Rockne answer listener questions about the role of women in American politics.
November 25, 1987 - Robert Volpe, a Twin Cities private detective, speaking at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Volpe address was on his work investigating and recovering stolen works of art and valuable antiquities. Robert Volpe claims to be the only detective in the world who deals exclusively in the recovery of valuable art and antiquities. He estimates that the incidence of art theft ranks second only to narcotic trafficking as an international crime. In addition to his detective work, Volpe paints, sculpts, writes and acts as curator of a small museum. He has optioned the movie rights to his life story to Warner Brothers.
November 28, 1987 - University of Minnesota extension nutritionist Joanne Slavin answers listener questions about holiday nutrition.
November 30, 1987 - William Raspberry, urban affairs columnist for The Washington Post, speaking at Itasca Seminar "Families at Risk." Raspberry addressed the general topic of poverty in America by looking at the current welfare system and suggesting ways that the system might be improved. His suggestions for fighting poverty and reforming welfare were primarily threefold: first, reward success and let failure punish itself; second, study success, not failure when trying to see how poverty can be alleviated; third, stop blaming racism for everything that goes wrong. After speech, Raspberry answered audience questions.
December 7, 1987 - Retired Federal Bureau of Prisons director Norman Carlson and University of Minnesota sociologist David Ward answer listener questions about prisoners and prison conditions.
December 8, 1987 - Eugene McCarthy, former Minnesota senator and presidential contender, speaking to the Minnesota Press Club. McCarthy’s address was titled, "The United States: The Number One Colony to the World."
December 10, 1987 - Jon Hassler, author in residence at St. John's University in Collegeville, reads from some of his works and discusses his career as an author in an appearance at the St. John's "Basilica Series" lectures in Minneapolis.
December 10, 1987 - Minnesota author Jon Hassler, author in residence at St. John's University in Collegeville, reads from some of his works and discusses his career as an author in an appearance at the St. John's "Basilica Series" lectures in Minneapolis.