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.
April 3, 1995 - As the Minnesota Twins come out of the Major League Baseball strike, Jerry Bell shares discount program for upcoming game tickets. Bell also expresses the ongoing concern for small market teams over a lack of revenue sharing in the MLB.
April 4, 1995 - Roger Moe, majority leader of the Minnesota Senate, talks about the state property tax reform.
April 5, 1995 - Darin Narayana, executive vice president of the World Banking Group at Norwest Corporation, speaking at Minnesota Meeting. Narayana’s address was titled, “Mexico's Financial Crisis: Will the Rest of South and Central America Be Next? Following speech, Narayana answered listener 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.
April 6, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten gets the spelling bee lowdown from Mary Theurer of Staples, Minnesota. Thuerer details the preparations and experience of students participating in state’s spelling bee.
April 10, 1995 - Midday presents Oliver Sacks, professor of clinical neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and the author of "An Anthropologist on Mars," speaking at Macalester College in St. Paul about his book.
April 12, 1995 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone comments on his views of federal "corporate welfare." Wellstone describes various bills going through the Congress.
April 13, 1995 - Midday presents Mary Pipher, author and clinical psychologist, speaking to the Forum on Women in Leadership held at the College of St. Catherine. The 1994-95 theme was ‘Breaking Barriers II.’
April 13, 1995 - Cal Larson, state senator representing the 10th District, details his plan submitted at the state capitol that increased property valuation cannot be higher than the consumer price index (CPI).
April 17, 1995 - Stephen Young, an attorney who was with the USAID in Vietnam and taught Vietnamese history at the University of Minnesota; and Steve Sherlock, a Vietnam combat veteran, former activist in Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and founder and president of Aid to Southeast Asia, discuss the Vietnam War and any lessons that can be learned from U.S. involvement. Young and Sherlock also answer listener questions.
April 21, 1995 - On this Midday program, Dr. Stephen Carter, author of the book The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivializes Religious Devotion, talks in the MPR studios about religion and public life.