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 16, 1996 - Midday presents Nobel Prize-winning writer Toni Morrison speaking as the distinguished Carlson lecturer at the University of Minnesota. Morrison’s speech was entitled “Mutual Hesitancies,” looking at the relationship between fiction and history.
May 17, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger takes a walking audio tour of The Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post. Enger talks with Joyce Wedll, the museum manager about the purposes of museum for both tribal members and tourists.
May 17, 1996 - Pam Schomaker, survey manager of Minnesota Center for Survey Research at the University of Minnesota, discusses latest on research, data…and misinformation.
May 20, 1996 - Midday speaks with Minnesota 8th District Congressman Jim Oberstar, whose in the studio to talk about aviation safety, the BWCA, the congressional debate over the budget, and more. Oberstar, the senior member of Minnesota's congressional delegation, also answers listener questions.
May 21, 1996 - MPR film critic Debra Alexander comments on Joel and Ethan films and the adoration they receive at Cannes Film Festival. The Coen brothers are at French film for their film Fargo.
May 22, 1996 - Dr. Michael Maddaus, a participant in local Father to Father program, describes it’s importance. Vice President Al Gore visits the Twin Cities to support the mentoring program.
May 28, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Ann McBride, president and CEO of Common Cause, a non-partisan citizens' lobby organization dealing with issues of money in politics, government ethics, and government responsibility. The organization's current focus is campaign finance reform and special interest influence. McBride also answers listeners questions.
May 30, 1996 - Midday presents a live broadcast of the Westminster Town Hall Forum, featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough. He is the author of the prize-winning biography Truman and numerous other books and is well-known as the host of the PBS television series The American Experience. His Westminster Town Hall Forum lecture is titled, American Society: Civil and Uncivil. McCullough’s speech is the last in a Westminster series “Voices of Consensus.”
May 31, 1996 - This Midday program features a live broadcast from the Republican State Convention with host Gary Eichten and MPR political commentators Bob Meek and Tom Horner. Program includes an interview with Republican State Convention Chair Chris Georgacas and listener questions.
June 3, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with with veteran broadcast journalist Sylvia Poggioli, who has been National Public Radio's Central Europe correspondent for years. Poggioli covered the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. She is in the studio to talk about post Cold War Europe, life as a foreign correspondent, and answers listener questions.