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.
June 25, 1990 - Charles Inlander, founder of the People's Medical Society and public radio health commentator, call-in show.
June 30, 1990 - Poet, author, playwright, actress and civil rights activist Maya Angelou speaks at the third Nancy Hank Lecture on Arts and Public Policy. Angelou’s address is on the importance of art.
July 4, 1990 - Benjamin Barber, American political theorist, speaking at a G. Theodore Mitau Lecture at Macalester College in St. Paul. Barber’s address is on the topic “How Democratic is the Constitution?”
July 9, 1990 - On this hour of Midday, Michael Steinberg, artistic director of the Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest; and his wife Jorja Fleezanis, a concertmaster, take listener's questions about Sommerfest in Minneapolis.
July 10, 1990 - Barry Commoner, author, environmentalist, and director of the Center for Biology of Natural Systems, speaking at an environmental conference sponsored by Clean Water Action in St. Paul. Commoner told his audience of environmental activists that during the past 20 years, pollution control has been a total failure, and stated that society must challenge corporations to do business in an environmentally responsible way.
July 13, 1990 - Mikhail Gorbachev, president of the Soviet Union, speaking with leaders in business and agriculture at the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis. Following speech, Gorbachev answered audience questions. (Gorbachev’s speech and answers were translated) Dwayne Andreas, CEO of Archer Daniels Midland Company, chaired the meeting and introduced President Gorbachev. The meeting at the Radisson Hotel was part of Gorbachev’s one-day visit to the Twin Cities on June 3rd.
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.