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.
November 3, 1990 - John Shepard, author of Minnesota Backgrounds and Minnesota: Off the Beaten Path, answers listener questions about Minnesota vacation destinations this fall and winter.
November 5, 1990 - Midday rebroadcasts an MPR Special broadcast of Focus on the Issues program, where DFL incumbent Governor Rudy Perpich and his Independent-Republican challenger Arne Carlson answered questions from listening audience and from special guests in MPR studios all around the state. Topics included education, state finances, health care, the environment, taxes, abortion and more.
November 8, 1990 - MPR’s Stephen Smith presents the documentary "Whom They Fear, They Hate," which explores the issue of hate crime in the U.S. by looking at two communities: Minneapolis/St. Paul and Portland, Oregon.
November 14, 1990 - Hussein Hammami, the Jordanian ambassador to the United States, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Hammami addresses the latest developments in the Persian Gulf and what they mean to the Middle East. After speech, Hammami answered audience questions. Dr. Anita Pampusch, the President of the College of St. Catherine, introduced Ambassador Hussein Hammami. 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.
November 19, 1990 - General John Vessey, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speaking at a recent World Affairs Luncheon at the Minnesota International Center. Vessey’s address was on the topic "Defense Needs of the 90s." Following speech, Vessey answered listener questions. General Vessey began his 46 years of military service as a private in the Minnesota National Guard, and he ended his military service in 1985 with a second term as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was honored with numerous distinguished service medals and the purple heart, worked as the President's Special Emissary to Hanoi on POW/MIA matters.
November 20, 1990 - John Chubb, senior fellow in government studies at the Brookings Institution; Robert Maddox, the executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State; Nelson Smith of the U.S. Department of Education; and Ray Marshall, former Secretary of Labor in the Carter Administration and now a Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, speaking at an education reform conference sponsored by The Center of the American Experiment. The group provide varying views about education reform. Chubb has written a new book called "Politics, Markets and American Schools", and argued that our system of public education is so dysfunctional that we need to start all over again. Maddox is part of group that opposes using vouchers as a tool for school reform, and that taxpayers should not be required to support specific religious values and beliefs as they are conveyed through parochial schools. Marshall stated the future of our country depends on what we do to improve education for minority students and argued that the U.S. will only be able to compete internationally if we make sure that all our children are well educated. Smith discussed social problems such as fatherless households, drugs and poverty that some people think prevent the public-school system from meeting the educational needs of all children.
November 22, 1990 - MPR’s Garrison Keillor presents "A Minnesota Thanksgiving." Program contains numerous musical segments and readings to highlight the holiday season. Program was originally broadcast in 1977.
November 24, 1990 - Dr. Susan Erbaugh, Director of the Mental Health Clinic at the Minneapolis Children's Medical Center, answers listener questions about children and families during the coming holiday season.
November 27, 1990 - Martin Sampson, of the University of Minnesota Political Science Department and International Relations Program; and Noha Ismail, member of Middle East Peace Now and Women Against Military Madness; discuss the events in the Persian Gulf. Topics include the U.N. resolution regarding Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and chemical weapons. Sampson and Ismail also answer listener questions.
November 29, 1990 - Rabbi Harold Kushner, author and theologian, speaking at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, sponsored by the Center for Jewish Christian Learning of the University of St. Thomas. Kushner’s address was on the topic "Who Needs God?" Kushner’s books include “Who Needs God?” and “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”, amongst others.