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.
August 19, 1989 - Naturalist Kathy Heidel from Hennepin Parks leads a field recording tour of three prairie areas near the Twin Cities. Hear her describe prairie plants and animals at Hyland Park in Bloomington, the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Schaeffer Prairie near Glencoe, Minnesota.
August 21, 1989 - Gary Bauer, president of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., speaking at a recent forum sponsored by the Berean League in Crystal, Minnesota. Bauer addresses the topic of family and religious values. In the Reagan administration, Gary Bauer was Undersecretary of Education. While at the Department of Education, he was chairman of the administration working group which issued a report called, "The Family: Preserving America's Future". He later worked in the White House Domestic Policy Office, serving as an advisor to President Reagan.
August 21, 1989 - Werner Fornos, president of the Population Institute in Washington, D.C., speaking at the Minnesota Press Club. Fornos’s address was titled “A World of 5 Billion: What Are Its Implications?" After speech, Fornos answered audience questions.
August 25, 1989 - Lee Atwater, chairman of the Republican National Committee, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Atwater talks political campaigns, and his role in helping elect George Bush to President of the United States. Following speech, Atwater answers listener questions. At end of program, Pat Forciea, who ran Dukakis campaign in Minnesota, provides a follow-up commentary. 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.
August 26, 1989 - Bill Shafer and Peter Tallas, University of Minnesota Extension Food Specialists, answer listener questions about food safety and nutrition.
September 2, 1989 - Hyman Berman, history professor at University of Minnesota, discusses Minnesota's colorful labor history and the context that provides for current labor issues. Berman also answers listener questions.
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.