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 29, 1975 - Kevin McKiernan spent several weeks in South Dakota reporting on various events in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation - including the fatal shooting of two FBI agents and an Indian at the end of June. While there, McKiernan had a conversation with a Rapid City businessman, the night manager of a Western goods store, who asks to remain anonymous. The businessman discusses how Indian people are viewed by some people in the Rapid City white community.
September 29, 1975 - Kevin McKiernan spent several weeks in South Dakota reporting on various events in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation - including the fatal shooting of two FBI agents and an Indian at the end of June. While there, McKiernan recorded the attitudes and feelings of South Dakota residents, both white and Indian. This is an interview with Pine Ridge medicine man Selo Black Crow. Black Crow begins by relating the story of a white sheriff who leased his land to a third party for cattle grazing. Black Crow imprisoned the cattle and was threatened by the FBI with a charge of cattle rustling. Here is his account of the standoff and its resolution.
September 30, 1975 - Watergate Judge John Sirica speaking at Concordia College, Moorhead. His topic was on strong and active citizenry in the United States.
October 5, 1975 - Forum presents an Options program of Isaac Asimov speaking at AANS Convention in New York on "Science Fiction Writer as Prophet".
October 10, 1975 - Professor Fremling talked with reporter Dan Olson and described how he became interested in the Mississippi. Fremling, a biology professor at Winona State College in Southeastern Minnesota, has explored and researched the Mississippi, and his firsthand knowledge of the waterway has made him a respected commentator on the life and health of the river.
October 13, 1975 - Professor Glenn Seaborg, awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1951 and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission from 1961 to 1971, speaking at Nobel Conference XI: The Future of Science held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Seaborg’s topic was about the "new signposts for science."
October 15, 1975 - John Eccles, distinguished professor of physiology and biophysics at the State University of New York at Buffalo, speaking at Nobel Conference XI: The Future of Science held at Gustavus Adolphus College. Eccle’s speech was titled “The Brain-Mind Problem as a Frontier of Science.”
October 17, 1975 - Langdon Gilkey, professor of theology at the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, speaking at the Nobel Conference XI, held in St. Peter, MN. Gilkey’s address was titled “The Future of Science.” Gilkey is author of numerous books, including "Maker of Heaven and Earth", "How the World Can Minister to the World Without Losing Itself", and "Religion and the Scientific Future."
October 20, 1975 - Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian explorer and anthropologist who sailed across the Pacific on the balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki, speaking at Concordia College.
October 21, 1975 - Vine Deloria, an expert in Indian treaties and author of "Custer Died For Your Sins" and "God is Red,” speaking at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth on Indian rights and public policy.