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.
May 30, 1975 - An NPR interview with British author Brian Crozier about his book A Theory of Conflict.
June 2, 1975 - A Midday broadcast of Harrison Salisbury, journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, speaking at the Midwest Working Journalists Forum on the University of Minnesota campus.
June 2, 1975 - James Reston, journalist and author, speaks at Colby College about the role of the news media, its responsibility, and where it is headed.
June 12, 1975 - John R. Silber, president of Boston University, addressing the 50th graduating class at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
June 12, 1975 - 7th District Congressman Bob Bergland visits with constituents in Detroit Lakes, Bemidji, Brainerd, and Alexandria. On this particular meeting, he speaks with high school teachers and administrators in Detroit Lakes.
June 25, 1975 - James Reston, poet and former director of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, speaks about the poetry of Mao Tse Tung.
June 29, 1975 - Minnesota poet Robert Bly reads his poems and the works of others in a talk given at Saint John's University Forum. Bly also gives his viewpoints on life and his philosophical impressions.
July 1, 1975 - Forum re-broadcasts a speech by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. The exiled Soviet author made his first major public address in the United States at a banquet in his honor given by the AFL-CIO. Solzhenitsyn ‘s address was titled “Words of Warning to the Western World (aka America: You Must Think About The World).”
July 15, 1975 - Secretary of State Henry Kissinger speaking at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, followed by a question and answer period. Speech was titled "The Moral Foundations of Foreign Policy". Event sponsored by the Upper Midwest Council. Opening remarks and introduction by Senator Hubert Humphrey and Governor Wendell Anderson. Outside protests and an inside heckler can be heard occasionally throughout recording.
July 16, 1975 - Report of the centennial of the cities of Fargo and Moorhead, with various sounds and interviews from the celebration. Program includes fiddlers contest, discussion on values of the past, and contents of a time capsule made for the bi-centennial.