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.
September 27, 1991 - Maurice Strong, the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Strong’s address was titled, “Sustainable Development: A Partnership of Environment and Economics.” Topics include global warming and ozone layer. Following speech, Strong 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.
September 28, 1991 - Larry Millett, staff writer on architecture and urban development for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, answers listener questions about architecture, both old and new buildings, and the new city skylines.
October 3, 1991 - Franklin Thomas, president of the Ford Foundation, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Thomas’s address was titled "Drugs, Poverty and Crime: Why the Inner City is in All Our Backyards." After speech, Thomas answered audience questions. Ed Spencer, chairman of the board of the Ford Foundation and a board member of the Minnesota Meeting, introduced Thomas. 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.
October 12, 1991 - On this Midday, Garrison Keillor reads from his novel, WLT: A Radio Romance, and talks about the new season for the American Radio Company. Keillor also answers listener questions.
October 16, 1991 - Midday’s Bob Potter interviews C. Everett Koop, the former U.S. Surgeon General. Topics of discussion include senate confirmation hearings, abortion, and his book "Koop: The Memoirs of America's Family Doctor." Koop also answers listener questions.
October 21, 1991 - David Elwood, a professor of public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, speaking at the Earle Brown Center at the University of Minnesota. Elwood’s address was on problems of the poor and disadvantaged. After speech, Elwood answered audience questions. Elwood is author of the book, "Poor Support".
October 23, 1991 - Federico Pena, former mayor of Denver, gave keynote speech at Itasca Seminar, held at Madden's Lodge in Brainerd. Pena’s address was titled "Building a Community That Values Diversity: Reflections of a Two-Term Mayor." After speech, Pena answered audience questions.
October 25, 1991 - Hedrick Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, discusses the damaging developments of the soviet economy, and possibility of future loose confederation of the splintering Soviet republics as an economic power. Smith has been a New York Times journalist and foreign correspondent from the Soviet Union and around the world for 26 years. Hedrick Smith has updated his book, "The New Russians", to include several new chapters on the failed Soviet Coup and its aftermath. He is currently a fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
October 25, 1991 - Tobin Barrozo, president of Twin Cities-based Metropolitan State University, speaking at Carlton College's 1991 Asia Convocation. Barrozo’s address was titled "The New Learning Community: A New Object for the Higher Learning." After speech, Barrozo answered audience questions.
October 27, 1991 - Richard Truly, former astronaut and administrator of NASA, speaks at the National Press Club. Following speech, MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Robert Pepin, professor of physics at University of Minnesota. Pepin talks about Truly’s address about the future of the U.S. space program.