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.
November 9, 1976 - An interview with Andy Jones, of the Metropolitan Senior Federation of the Twin Cities, on the priorities many seniors are concerned about. Jones just completed his term as president of the federation, which includes many separate senior citizens groups as its members.
November 10, 1976 - A special production by the Minnesota Public Radio news unit on the political history of Rudy Perpich, who takes over as Governor for Wendell Anderson who stepped down to be a Senator.
November 15, 1976 - An exploration of the American burial ritual, including conversations with writers, funeral directors, ministers, sociologists, and anthropologists. Topics include problematic dichotomy of funeral industry as a business vs. providing a social service and the ceremonial nature behind burial or cremation.
November 23, 1976 - Bernadette Devlin, former member of the British Parliament from Northern Ireland, speaking at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Devlin gives her views on the problems in her country.
November 25, 1976 - A special Midday program presents a selection of readings for Thanksgiving Day.
November 26, 1976 - On this Midday program, a presentation of a speech by author James Michener, followed by an interview with MPR’s Bill Siemering, where Michener talks about book "Centennial" and preserving local history.
November 27, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a panel discussion on the state of the arts in the Twin Cities. The six panel members met at The Place, a downtown club of the Arts Alliance. Panelists share their thoughts on trends, problems, and future of various fields in art community.
November 29, 1976 - Former CBS News correspondent Daniel Schorr, speaking at the Temple of Aaron in Saint Paul, traces the growth of the secret intelligence community in the United States. Schorr is responsible for releasing a secret House Intelligence Committee report on the CIA to the Village Voice newspaper. He was subpoenaed by a special House committee investigating the report's leak but refused to divulge the source of his information.
December 4, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion of handbook on agricultural areas (aka Agricultural Planning Handbook), in the metropolitan area. Dan Olson interviews Alexander Dean and Jim Schoettler, both from the Metropolitan Planning Commission, about strategizing land use in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including farming.
December 14, 1976 - Victor Weisskopf, Director of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, speaking at Nobel Conference XII - The Nature of the Physical Universe held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Weisskopf’s topic was the elementary particle. Victor Weisskopf helped develop the atomic bomb.