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.
March 30, 1992 - Midday program presents two documentaries - Battle Lines, Pressures on the Land, which details modern-day struggles over issues of sovereignty and land ownership between Native Americans and the Euromerican peoples; and Sustaining Our Communities, Natural Resource Management, an examination of traditional Indian farming techniques for growing corn, natural resource management practices and the revitalization of the buffalo and salmon population within various tribal communities.
March 31, 1992 - Part one is a series of interviews with four Minnesota women about their lives. This is followed by in-studio guests Anita Pampusch and Aviva Breen. Pampusch is the president of the College of St. Catherine, and Breen is the executive director for the Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women.
April 1, 1992 - Midday airs Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Buchanan’s address was on the topic of politics, policy, and the campaign. Following speech, Buchanan answered audience questions.
April 3, 1992 - Norman Augustine, chairman and CEO of Martin Marietta Corporation, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Augustine’s address was on the topic "Ethics in Business and the Business of Ethics". Following speech, Augustine answered audience questions. Sidney Emery of Honeywell introduced Augustine. 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.
April 6, 1992 - Midday program presents two documentaries - Through Carib Eyes, The Columbus Encounter in the Caribbean, looks at the perceptions of Carib and Taino Indians whose ancestors encountered Columbus; and Responding to the Quincentennial, a mosaic of Indian views on the Columbus Quincentenary.
April 7, 1992 - An MPR Special report, presenting a collection of reports on presidential primary candidate profiles and issues. Candidates profiled were President Bush, Pat Buchanan, Jerry Brown, and Bill Clinton. Issues highlighted were health, education, environment, agriculture, and racism.
April 8, 1992 - MPR’s reporter Joe Kelly presents the documentary “AIDS Lives Here.” The report looks at five Minnesota women who carry HIV. Kelly interviews the women, health officials, and advocates.
April 9, 1992 - Camelia Sadat, president and one of the founders of the Sadat Peace Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting world peace, speaking at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, as part of the 1992 Peace Prize Forum “Striving for Peace: Resolving Cultural Conflicts”. The theme of address was “Islamic Culture and the West.” Camelia Sadat is the daughter of the late Egyptian president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Anwar Sadat. She is an assistant professor at Bentley College in Massachusetts and is writing a book about the changing role of Arab women in Muslim society.
April 9, 1992 - Robin Wright, correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, speaking at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, as part of the 1992 Peace Prize Forum “Striving for Peace: Resolving Cultural Conflicts”. The theme of address was “Islamic Culture and the West.” Wright has spent several years living in the Middle East. She has worked as a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, CBS News, and the London Sunday Times.
April 9, 1992 - Q&A period from " Islamic Culture and the West " discussion, as part of the 1992 Peace Prize Forum “Striving for Peace: Resolving Cultural Conflicts," held at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Participants Camelia Sadat, president of the Sadat Peace Institute; and Robin Wright, correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, answered audience questions after their respective speeches.