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.
May 25, 1992 - Excerpts from "We Had to be Strong," a documentary about women's experiences in the military. Includes various interviews and commentary.
May 28, 1992 - A Midday broadcast of economist and author Sylvia Ann Hewlett speaking at Westminster Town Hall Forum. The theme of address is about her book, When the Bough Breaks: The Cost of Neglecting Our Children.
June 2, 1992 - Jean-Bertrand Aristide, deposed president of Haiti, speaking at Minnesota Meeting in downtown Minneapolis. Aristide’s address is on the topic of current events and humanitarian concerns in his country. Following speech, Aristide answered audience questions. Aristide was elected with 70 percent of the vote in Haiti's first free election in December 1990 and was ousted in a military coup last September. He is a Catholic priest. 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.
June 3, 1992 - David Morris, co-founder and co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington, speaking at St. John's University. Morris’s address was titled "A Global Village and a Globe of Villages: Environmentally Sound Economic Development." A resident of St. Paul, Morris is a syndicated columnist with Knight Ridder News Service and has been an economic development consultant for 15 years.
June 4, 1992 - Midday broadcasts American writer and activist Betty Freidan speaking at the College of Saint Benedict. Freidan’s address is entitled, Feminism Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
June 5, 1992 - Call-in program with Senator Paul Wellstone at the Democratic-Farmer-Labor state convention in Duluth.
June 20, 1992 - Midday presents Minnesota writer Paul Gruchow giving a talk in Southwestern Minnesota as part of “The Fulda Project: Old Stories and New Meanings" lecture series.
June 22, 1992 - A Midday special broadcast from the newest Minnesota Public Radio news and information station, KCCD 90.3 FM in Moorhead, Minnesota. During program, MPR’s Dan Olson completes interviews and a local tour.
June 30, 1992 - On this special live Midday broadcast, MPR’s Dan Olson shares the latest on a Burlington Northern freight train derailment causing three tank cars to plunge into the Nemadji River. One of them ruptured, causing chemicals to spill into the river and subsequently into Lake Superior. Accident lead to Duluth residents being evacuated.
July 3, 1992 - Businesswoman Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, speaks about "Profit with Principles" at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She says that corporations must make it a priority to act responsibly and be global-minded.