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 16, 1989 - Three St. Paul residents seeking the Democratic Farmer-Labor mayoral endorsement this weekend take listener questions.
May 17, 1989 - Russell Ewald, the retiring executive vice-president of the McKnight Foundation, speaking upon receipt of the A.A. Heckman Community Service Award. Ewald’s address was on the topic “The Many Faces of Philanthropy.” Russell Ewald has spent the last forty years serving as an Episcopal minister and doing foundation work.
May 20, 1989 - Cynthia McArthur, from the University of Minnesota Extension Service answers listener questions about bicycling riding, safety, trails, equipment and other subjects. McArthur is director of the Minnesota Community Bicycle Safety Project.
May 23, 1989 - Jim Warren and Paula Stuart Warren, specialists in geneology, answer listener questions about tracing one's family tree.
May 26, 1989 - A tribute to the late University of Minnesota political science professor, Mulford Q. Sibley. Program features his popular speech entitled, "My Last Lecture," as well as excerpts from an interview on Midday in June, 1982, and excerpts from a call-in program.
June 5, 1989 - Socorro Diokno, head of the Free Legal Assistance Group in the Philippines, discusses human rights in the Philippines. Diokno also answers listener questions. FLAG provides legal advice to Filipinos who have been victims of human rights abuses. Listener participation.
June 11, 1989 - Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist and author of "A Brief History of Time”, speaking in Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, as part of the Abigail and John Van Vleck lecture series. As Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at England's Cambridge University, Hawking occupies a chair once held by Isaac Newton. Hawking is renowned for his theories of black holes and the structure of space-time. He found that black holes - dense objects with gravity so strong even light can't escape - emit radiation just outside the boundary beyond which nothing can overcome the pull of gravity. He also initiated the concept that the continuity of space-time breaks down at infinitesimally small distances. Hawking has suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and now speaks about 10 words a minute with the aid of a computer voice synthesizer. By preparing speeches in advance, however, he can "speak" at a normal rate, although with an American accent.
June 14, 1989 - Today on Midday is South African journalist Dumisani Kumalo. Working as a reporter in South Africa, Kumalo exposed the working conditions of miners and others subjected to harsh treatment. Then, later, Kumalo reported on South Africa's police force and the use of detention without trial. Kumalo is a founding member of the Union of Black Journalists, a group banned by the white-ruled South African government. Kumalo became an activist in the Black Consciousness Movement during the time of Steven Biko. Kumalo now lives in the United States due to police harassment in his own country. He spoke recently at Augsburg College in Minneapolis .
June 20, 1989 - Rev. Jesse Jackson giving keynote address at the annual Minnesota Bar Association. Jackson’s speech was titled "The Future of Justice in America: Lawyers as Agents of Change."
June 21, 1989 - Carol Falkowski, Research Coordinator of the Chemical Dependency Division in the state Human Services Department answers listener questions about the drug scene in Minnesota