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.
October 17, 1990 - Theologian Martin Marty speaking at Macalester College in St. Paul. He spoke on the topic "Religious Diversity: The Limits and Challenges of Pluralism".
October 19, 1990 - St. Paul writer David Morris speaking in Minneapolis on the savings and loan crisis.
October 22, 1990 - Dr. Abbas Mehdi, native of Iraq and current Assistant Professor of Sociology at St. Cloud State University, broke media anonymity in speaking at St. Cloud State University event. Mehdi’s address was titled, "Saddam Hussein and the Gulf Crisis: Past, Present and Future". Before coming to the United States to study and teach, he worked for seven years in the public sector in Iraq. Until he gave this speech at St. Cloud State, Abbas Mehdi had answered questions from the media only if his anonymity was maintained.
October 23, 1990 - MPR presents a Minnesota Senate debate with Rudy Boschwitz, U.S. Minnesota Senator (I-R); and Paul Wellstone, DFL challenger. The candidates participate in a wide-ranging discussion of the issues. Debate was moderated by MPR’s Bob Potter.
October 23, 1990 - Debate between the candidates for United States Senate: Rudy Boschwitz and Paul Wellstone. Boschwitz and Wellstone will participate in a wide-ranging discussion of the issues, moderated by Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Potter.
October 24, 1990 - Madeline Kunin, Vermont governor; and Dr. Dean Abrahamson, of the University of Minnesota, speaking at a conference on global warming sponsored by the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Kunin (a Democrat) is the chair of various Committees of the National Governors Association on energy, the environment and global climate change.
October 25, 1990 - Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Edelman's address was titled, "Investing in Children: An Agenda for Public and Private Action."
October 29, 1990 - On this Mainstreet Radio program, MPR’s Leif Enger reports on the attempts for a truce on the border of the BWCA since the 1978 Boundary Waters Wilderness Act.
October 30, 1990 - Political debate between Arlan Stangeland, 7th District I-R Congressman; and challenger Collin Peterson, DFL challenger, have political debate in television studio of Concordia College. Peterson has challenged Stangeland twice before. Topics of debate included budget, taxes, agricultural, controversy over personal phone calls by Stangeland. The 7th District covers the entire northwestern quarter of the state, from Saint Cloud to Moorhead, and all the way up to the Canadian border.
November 2, 1990 - The "stump speeches" by the candidates for Governor and U.S. Senator: Rudy Boschwitz, Paul Wellstone, Arne Carlson and Rudy Perpich.