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, 1996 - State Senator Ted Mondale comments on decision at State Capitol to expand existing Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, rather than building a new one at another site.
April 8, 1996 - Don Arnosti, state director of Minnesota Chapter of the National Audubon Society, provides insights into the status of biodiversity in the state. Topics include Minnesota prairies, forests, and food crops.
April 11, 1996 - Midday presents a call-in program in connection with special series The Economic War among the States. Guests Art Rolnick, member of the Federal Reserve; and Jay Novak, commissioner of Trade and Economic Development, share their views and answer listener questions.
April 12, 1996 - Midday presents "Renewing the Social Contract,” a special three-hour program that looks at the issue of economic insecurity across the country as society moves into the information age.
April 17, 1996 - Al Harris, Hennepin County prosecutor; and Loretta Fredricks, legal counsel for the Battered Women's Justice Project, discuss how the legal system works in domestic abuse cases. They also talk about statistics and definition of abuse. Harris and Fredricks also answer listener questions.
April 18, 1996 - Midday discusses infectious diseases and the updates the latest information about the Ebola virus, TB (Tuberculosis), BSE (mad cow disease), meningitis, influenza, AIDS, and other diseases with guest Michael Osterholm, a state epidemiologist. Listeners call in with questions.
April 19, 1996 - Midday presents Delano Lewis, president of National Public Radio, speaking at Minnesota Meeting held at Hilton in downtown Minneapolis. Lewis’s address was titled “Open Access: Moving All America Into the Information Age.” He also discusses funding and preservation of public broadcasting. After speech, Lewis answers audience questions.
April 23, 1996 - Midday presents a live broadcast from the National Press Club featuring Charles Lewis, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity. Lewis recently authored a report called "Under the Influence: The 1996 Presidential Candidates and Their Campaign Advisors."
April 24, 1996 - Midday broadcasts a speech by Dr. Susan Love, author of Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book and director of the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center, delivered in the Twin Cities at a conference on breast cancer sponsored by the University of Minnesota Center for Biomedical Ethics.
April 25, 1996 - Midday presents a live broadcast of the Westminster Town Hall Forum, featuring author and Washington Post editorialist Juan Williams. Williams talks about the absence of the issue of race in presidential politics.