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.
September 5, 1989 - A live broadcast from the World Theater in downtown St. Paul, a debate among four St. Paul Mayoral candidates: Russell Bovee, Bob Fletcher, Chris Nicosia and Jim Scheibel in advance of the St. Paul primary one week from today.
September 7, 1989 - A report by MPR's Kate Smith on the teacher surplus in Minnesota. Joe Nathan, senior fellow at the Humphrey Institute, answers listeners questions.
September 8, 1989 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen presents the documentary “Dancing on Beat: Portrait of a Reservation Family,” which follows the daily life of an Ojibwe family on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota.
September 8, 1989 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen presents the documentary “Dancing on Beat: Portrait of a Reservation Family,” which follows the daily life of an Ojibwe family on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Following documentary, Midday’s Bob Potter interviews Mike Bongo, director of American Indian OIC in Minneapolis, about his thoughts about documentary.
September 9, 1989 - Dr. Robert Anderson, from the University of Minnesota Behavior Clinic at the Veterinary Hospital, answers listener questions about dog and cat behavior.
September 10, 1989 - MPR producers Mark Heistad and Dan Olson guide a historical program of examining Minnesota's timber industry. The program is called "Logging of Minnesota's Great White Pinery." Recorded on location at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
September 14, 1989 - David Kearns, chair and CEO of Xerox, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Kearns’ address was on the topic "Winning the Brain Race: A Bold Plan to Make Our Schools Competitive." He talks about education restructuring and a future world-class workforce. Following speech, Kearns 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.
September 18, 1989 - Pulitzer Prize winning St. Paul playwright August Wilson who has a world premiere of two plays opening at the World Theater on Friday, September 22, answers listener questions.
September 21, 1989 - MPR’s Joe Kelly presents a Radio Town Meeting program from the Twin Ports studios. The topic is the problems and challenges of small schools. Program begins with a report, followed by interviews with Meridel Kahl, professor in the education department at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth; and Troy Mattson, a freshman at Hamline University in St. Paul. Kahl and Mattson also answer listener questions.
September 25, 1989 - Richard King and Bonnie LeRoy from the University of Minnesota Institute of Human Genetics, answer listener questions about genetic research, testing and engineering.