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 7, 1976 - Discussion on problems encountered by the shortages of fossil fuel. Experts and humanists gathered for Food and Fuel Institute sessions at Fergus Fall, Detroit Lakes and Moorhead over a two-month period. Includes excerpts of speeches, including 7th District Congressman Bob Bergland.
June 8, 1976 - "Rural life versus city living" is the major topic touched upon in this montage of music and conversation with two New York City police officers who were laid off in recent economy measures and who now work in rural Lakefield, Minnesota.
June 28, 1976 - Neal St. Anthony prepared excerpts and interviews from the Transportation of Nuclear Materials conference sponsored by the Atomic Industrial Forum held recently in Bloomington, Minnesota. About conference: Nuclear generated electricity has moved out of the experimental stage. Government projections show nuclear plants will provide up to 45 percent of the nation's electricity by the year 2000. Accompanying that growth is a parallel increase in shipments of the radioactive fuels and wastes which power the plants. The transportation of nuclear materials is a cause of concern among antinuclear groups. Proponents say it is a well-regulated system which poses no threat to society. Recently, a group of nuclear industrialists and government regulatory officials came to the Twin Cities to discuss nuclear transportation.
July 4, 1976 - This special MPR program takes a look at various communities throughout Minnesota and shows how they celebrate the 4th of July, especially during the bicentennial year. Program includes interviews, performances, and commentary.
July 7, 1976 - Ayn Rand speaking at the Ford Hall Forum at Boston's Northeastern University.
July 9, 1976 - Joan Halifax-Grof, a medical anthropologist specializing in psychiatry and religion, speaks on transformation and human consciousness, transformation and initiation and visionary states, and transformation and the experience of death.
July 30, 1976 - Stokely Carmichael, a black activist in the 1960's, speaks to a group in Minneapolis about where the Black Power Movement should be going. Carmichael highlights his views against American capitalism.
August 5, 1976 - An address by educator-farmer-writer Hiram Drache on the family farm and the future of American farming before a conference on rural America, held in Crookston, Minnesota. The speech is titled "Agriculture in the Year 2000."
August 7, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion on trends regarding the health of the city of Minneapolis. After a downturn of 1950s-1960s due to suburban growth, the 1970’s show positive changes, including increase in middle- and upper-income families moving back into the city, and investment in neighborhoods and older buildings.
August 9, 1976 - Following his speech given at Conference on Rural America in Crookston, Robert Theobald talked with Stephanie Johnson, of MPR station KCCM Moorhead. Theobald was asked how Americans are changing their lifestyles in the face of present social problems.