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.
April 3, 1989 - Richard Thomas, Elanor Clift, John McCormick, and John Barry, all Newsweek magazine editorial writers, are members of a panel discussion at Minnesota Meeting. Their discussion was titled "Uncovering New Policies with Those Who Cover Them". The panelists are presented with numerous questions involving politics, world affairs, and economy. 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.
April 4, 1989 - Midday highlights the controversy surrounding an increase in the minimum wage. It's being debated in the individual states and in the Congress - the U.S. House recently voted to increase the minimum wage, and the Senate is expected to take up the issue this week. The Bush administration has threatened a veto if the bill is not to its liking. Program begins with an independently produced documentary called "Minimum Wage: Maximum Controversy". Documentary is followed with MPR’s Bob Potter talking with Ken Peterson, Minnesota's Labor and Industry Commissioner; and John Fossum, director of the Industrial Relations Center at the University of Minnesota. "Minimum Wage: Maximum Controversy" was written and produced by Carlos Davidson, an independent producer in California. The narrator was Charles Bloomer. Funding was provided by the Eastman Fund, The Funding Exchange, Nu Lambda Trust, the Skaggs Foundation and the Vanguard Foundation.
April 7, 1989 - Dick Braun, director of the Center for Transporation Studies at the University of Minnesota, answers listener questions about transportation issues facing Minnesota...including highway congestion, road conditions, the gasoline tax proposal at the legislature, etc.
April 13, 1989 - A Midday broadcast of a speech by author and broadcaster Studs Terkel given in Minneapolis at the Westminster Town Hall Forum. Terkel’s address is entitled "America's Two Faces…Concerning Greed."
April 17, 1989 - Abba Eban, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, speaking at Distinguished Carlson Lecture at Northrop Auditorium. Eban addresses the topic “Roadblocks to Peace in the Middle East.” After speech, Eban answered audience questions. A vehement champion of Israel's national interest, Eban’s diplomacy won the Jewish state crucial international support in its initial decade. Eban has spoken out against any attempt to make the occupied territories a permanent part of Israel since they were won in the 1967 Six-Day War, and his contribution to the 1968 U.N. Security Council resolution has been the foundation for every serious Middle East peace effort. He is active in the reconciliation movement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and was one of seven Israeli representatives to recent talks with PLO leaders, European politicians and Jewish spokespersons at The Hague. The Carlson Lecture Series is managed by the Humphrey Institute's Citizen Education Program and is made possible through a $1 million gift from Curtis L. Carlson, founder and chair of Minneapolis-based Carlson Cos. The Carlson Lecture Series brings distinguished national and international leaders to the university to speak on current topics of public interest.
April 19, 1989 - MPR’s Stephen Smith and Tom Meersman present “Burning the Needles,” a documentary report on the issues of medical waste and the challenges in how to dispose of it.
April 19, 1989 - An MPR documentary on medical waste followed by an opportunity for listeners to question Dr. Donald Vessley, Director of Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Minnesota, a nationally recognized expert on medical waste disposal and Lisa Thorvig from the air quality division of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
April 26, 1989 - Benjamin Hooks, executive director of the NAACP, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Hooks’ address was on the topic "Unspoken issues of race in American society." After speech, Hooks 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.
May 4, 1989 - Henry Buffalo, special projects attorney for the Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, answers listener questions on current issues facing Indian tribal governments.
May 6, 1989 - Don Willeke, chairman of the Minnesota State Shade Tree Advisory Committee; and Dr. David French, professor of plant pathology and forestry resources at the University of Minnesota, discuss tree diseases, treatments, and tree planting at the start of Arbor Month. Willeke and French also answer listener questions.