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.
April 27, 1991 - University of Minnesota Horticulturist Deb Brown answers listener questions about lawns and gardens.
May 3, 1991 - Minnesota Public Radio forum on "Mandatory AIDS Testing: The Issues Facing Health Care Workers and their Patients", held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs, at the University of Minnesota.
May 8, 1991 - Kathy Keeley and Sue Davis on starting and running a business.
May 9, 1991 - Dr. Riffat Hassan, theologian and author, speaking at day-long seminar entitled, "The American Influence on Worship" held at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. Hassan’s address was on the topic "Muslims in America." After speech, Hasan answered audience questions. Dr. Hassan is chair of the Religious Studies Program at the University of Louisville. For the past 15 years, she has been an active participant in inter-faith dialogue. As a Muslim woman, Dr. Hassan's primary interest has been the common problems that Muslim women share with women across the world in all faiths.
May 17, 1991 -
May 24, 1991 - Guthrie Theater actress Sally Wingert reads the Meridel Le Sueur essay, "I Was Marching.”
May 24, 1991 - MPR’s Marlana Benzie presents a report from Hibbing on the 50th birthday of former hometown resident Robert Allen Zimmerman, better known as the legendary Bob Dylan.
June 11, 1991 - Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Minnesota speaking at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Caplan’s address was titled, "Ethics and Moral Issues Around Human Transplants." Dr. Caplan is a nationally recognized authority on ethical issues related to biotechnology, medical ethics, and health policy. He has written extensively on a wide range of topics pertaining to medical ethics.
June 15, 1991 - George Karvel, Director of the Minnesota Real Estate Research Center at St. Cloud State University answers questions about the local real estate market.
June 17, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Arthur Kaplan, professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Surgery at University of Minnesota, about the ethics behind when a doctor who is HIV positive should disclose to patients.