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.
October 25, 1988 - Second debate between Senator Dave Durenberger and Minnesota Attorney General Skip Humphrey who are vying for the Senate seat in the November election.
October 28, 1988 - Shirley Williams, a Ramsey Medical Center registered nurse and oncology clinical specialist, answers listener questions about breast cancer detection and treatment.
November 1, 1988 - Donald Woods, a journalist who was forced to flee South Africa for being critical of the government and apartheid, spoke recently at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He is now the director of the Lincoln Trust, a foundation which supplies information about apartheid to media organizations worldwide. He is also the author of three books, one of which "Biko", is a biography of Steve Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa, and Woods' friend. Another cause for Woods' exile was that he tried to expose the true cause of Biko's death after Biko was beaten by police.His talk at UMD was entitled "Apartheid and the Tragedy of South Africa".
November 2, 1988 - Sir Charles Hyde Villiers, chair of the British Steel Corporation, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Villiers address was titled "A View from Europe: the new Culture of Capitalism." After speech, Villiers answers listener 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 19, 1988 - On this Midday program, a special documentary about teenage pregnancy produced by Carol Gunderson from member station KLSE in Rochester. Following dcocumentary, Dr. Betty Jerome, director of the Teenage Medical Center at Minneapolis Children's Hospital, answers listener questions on the subject.
November 22, 1988 - Ralph Huessner, medical writer at the University of Minnesota and co-author of "Warning: the media may be harmful to your health!" answers listener questions about medical reporting.
November 29, 1988 - Steve Keefe, Metropolitan Council chairman, discusses the Council's role in future of air transportation system, light rail transit, and other issues. Topics include building of new runways and airport, expansion of 35W, and cost of establishing a light rail. Keefe also answers listener questions.
December 1, 1988 - Edson Spencer, chairman of Honeywell and of the Governor's Commission on Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Spencer’s address was titled "The University of Minnesota: Who Manages? Who Governs?" After speech, Spencer answers 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.
December 3, 1988 - MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Clark Morphew, religion writer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press dispatch. Morphew discusses current issues in religion, including decline in membership of mainline churches, rise of fundamentalist churches, Jewish definition debate, and social aspect of church. Morphew also answers listener questions.
December 6, 1988 - Al Santoli, author of "New Americans: Immigrants and refugees in the US today," discusses the current wave of immigration to the United States. Santoli also answers listener questions.