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.
January 27, 1977 - KUOM’s Andy Marlow interviews psychologist Wayne Dyer, about his book "Your Erroneous Zones," a straight forward approach to mental health.
January 29, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, Joe Graba, Deputy Commissioner of Education for the State of Minnesota, talks to MPR’s Dan Olson about school budget. Topics include declining enrollments, local taxes, and cut backs.
February 3, 1977 - Highlight speeches from second Minnesota Horizons conference, a seminar for state legislators, sponsored by the State Planning Agency and the Commission on Minnesota's Future, designed to show lawmakers and citizens some of the long-range problems the state faces. This part of conference focuses on population changes, and the effects it has on state. Speakers include: State demographer Hazel Reinhardt, on the nature of population change Ed Hunter, Deputy Director of the State Planning Agency, on the changing state labor force Jim Solum, Director of the Local and Urban Affairs Office of the Planning Agency, on housing needs in the next 10-15 years
February 4, 1977 - Conclusion of the second Minnesota Horizons conference, a seminar for state legislators, sponsored by the State Planning Agency and the Commission on Minnesota's Future, designed to show lawmakers and citizens some of the long-range problems the state faces. Twelve major areas were studied: Settlement, Population, Economy, Values, Energy, Transportation, Land use, Agriculture, Housing, Health, Education and Environment. Highlights from the final report is presented.
February 8, 1977 - Dr. Zacharie Clements, Associate Professor of Reading Education at University of Vermont, speaking on today's education problems and procedures. Speech given at a conference for school administrators in Fargo, North Dakota.
February 8, 1977 - Dr. Hiram Drache, an agricultural historian, author, and professor of history at Concordia College in Moorhead, talks with Bill Siemering and John Ydstie about transitions in farming and his book “Beyond the Furrow: Some Keys to Successful Farming in the Twentieth Century.”
February 12, 1977 - This regional public affairs program is a discussion on current system of police chief appointment in Minneapolis, where the chief is chosen by the mayor. MPR’s Neal St. Anthony met with numerous people concerned with the situation and prepared this report.
February 23, 1977 - Governor Rudy Perpich and state senator George Perpich answer listener questions regarding politics. Topics include education, budgeting, and stadium debate.
March 1, 1977 - Dino Butler testimony from recent hearings held by the Minnesota Citizens' Review Commission on the FBI. The commission, a coalition of some 20 Minnesota organizations put together an independent hearing panel including DFL chairpersons Rick Scott and Ruth Caine. Union leaders, representatives of church and community groups as well as private citizens also participated. The panel took testimony on alleged FBI abuses in the area supervised by the Minneapolis office - Minnesota and the Dakotas. Much of the testimony centered around alleged FBI violations on South Dakota Indian reservations. One whole day was devoted to testimony concerning the Pine Ridge shootout in June 1975. The shootings resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents and one Indian, Joe Stuntz. No one has yet been charged with Stuntz's death. Two Indians, Dino Butler and Robert Robideau, were charged with the murder of the FBI agents, but they were acquitted last fall. One other man charged was never indicted for lack of evidence, and another, Leonard Peltier, will go on trial in Fargo, North Dakota this month.
March 2, 1977 - Testimonies of Norman Brown, Nilak Butler, Jean Bordeaux and Ken Tilsen from recent hearings held by the Minnesota Citizens' Review Commission on the FBI. The commission, a coalition of some 20 Minnesota organizations put together an independent hearing panel including DFL chairpersons Rick Scott and Ruth Caine. Union leaders, representatives of church and community groups as well as private citizens also participated. The panel took testimony on alleged FBI abuses in the area supervised by the Minneapolis office - Minnesota and the Dakotas. Much of the testimony centered around alleged FBI violations on South Dakota Indian reservations. One whole day was devoted to testimony concerning the Pine Ridge shootout in June 1975. The shootings resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents and one Indian, Joe Stuntz. No one has yet been charged with Stuntz's death. Two Indians, Dino Butler and Robert Robideau, were charged with the murder of the FBI agents, but they were acquitted last fall. One other man charged was never indicted for lack of evidence, and another, Leonard Peltier, will go on trial in Fargo, North Dakota this month.