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.
July 17, 1990 - Dries van Agt, European Community ambassador to the United States, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Van Agt’s address was titled "Economic Superpowers: European Community, Japanese and U.S. Relations in the '90s." He talked on the political situations within former Eastern-European communist countries. After speech, van Agt’s 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.
July 18, 1990 - Gloria Steinem, editorial consultant and writer for Ms. magazine, giving keynote address for the anniversary celebration of CHART/WEDCO, a non-profit organization that provides career development and business consulting for women. Celebration was held in Minneapolis. Steinem co-founded the national feminist monthly Ms. Magazine, in 1972. She is the author of the book, "The Bedside Book of Self-Esteem."
July 23, 1990 - Nien Cheng, author of the book "Life and Death in Shanghai", speaking at the Fargo Town Hall. Cheng told her audience about Chinese history and politics, her experiences during the Cultural Revolution, and her views about the Communist party and conditions in China today. Cheng is the widow of a former Kuomintang diplomat and executive at Shell Oil Company's Shanghai subsidiary. She was a target of the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution in China, and was arrested, placed in solitary confinement, and tortured. After nearly seven years of imprisonment, Nien Cheng was released - only to find that her only child had been killed by the revolutionaries.
August 9, 1990 - Andrei Codrescu speaking at the Walker Art Center as part of its American Icons Series. His speech was titled, "Where is Abroad?: The Disappearance of the Outside in the Age of Collapsed Ideologies". Codrescu talked about literature, religion, politics, history, imagination, and the necessity of exile.
August 22, 1990 - Ralph Nader, consumer activist, speaking about at the Early Warnings Conference in Minneapolis, a meeting of print and broadcast journalists, environmental scientists and consumer activists. Nader's address was on the topic "Media and the Solar Age."
August 23, 1990 - St. Paul City Council President Bill Wilson and Minneapolis City Council Vice President Brian Coyle answer listener questions about the city governments' spending, taxes, and government services.
August 24, 1990 - Soundprint documentary: a mother and daughter's recollection of life in Taiwan during World War II, including reminiscences, "sound poetry", and original music. Producer D. Roberts describes her mother's childhood in Taiwan and her own cross-cultural identity. "Mei Mei" is a 25 minute documentary that chronicles Dmae and her mother, Chu-Yin, as they travel to Taiwan together. Mei Mei is Chinese for "little sister" - a term of endearment for any younger girl. First produced in 1989, "Mei Mei" was highly personal and groundbreaking for its time - interweaving interviews and dramatizations to tell the story of a conflicted daughter and her mother who suffered abuse, starvation and the horrors of World War Two. "Mei Mei" has been broadcast on NPR, the BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Peabody - Winner 1989 - D. Roberts, Independent Producer, American Public Radio's "Soundprint" Series The story of the relationship between the parents and children is as old as time itself, but we never tire of it because it is central to all. D. Roberts' documentary examines how personal boundaries can be complicated by cultural boundaries as here, where the mother is Taiwanese and her daughter is American. The pain of the mother, who was sold into servitude as a girl and suffered abuse and near starvation makes it very difficult for her to relate to her daughter with the warmth and affection that her daughter desires. Thus the two share an uneasy alliance with the daughter continuously trying to understand her mother and her mother's culture, an attempt that culminates with a trip to Taiwan to explore together her mother's roots. For an exceptional examination of personal relationships and for sharing them with the radio audience, a Peabody Award to D. Roberts for Mei Mei: A Daughter's Song.
August 25, 1990 - Literary agents Wendy and Jonathon Lazear, answer listener questions about the publishing industry, books and motion picture rights.
August 27, 1990 - Garland Wright, artistic director of the Guthrie Theater, gives an address at a conference for educators held at the Guthrie entitled: "Myth, History and Truth on Stage."
August 30, 1990 - Kathy Keeley, President of CHART/WEDCO, answers listener questions about starting and running your own business.