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.
July 15, 1996 - Midday features a special Talk of Minnesota call-in program about number 34, the now-retired Minnesota Twin, Kirby Puckett. Program includes Puckett press conference and listener comments in the creation of an audio thank you letter to “Puck.”
July 16, 1996 - Midday examines workplace changes into the next century with guest Jeremy Rifkin, noted social critic and author of The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post-Market Era. Rifkin discusses politics, manufacturing, farming, corporations, and also answers listener questions.
July 18, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bert McKasy visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, electability, tax policy, and term limits.
July 19, 1996 - Midday guests New York Times Magazine writer John Tierney and Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson answer listener questions about recycling.
July 26, 1996 - As part of the continuing Midday series of programs with the candidates for US Senate this year, Republican businessman Monti Moreno from Stillwater is in the MPR studios to answer questions from listeners.
July 31, 1996 - "Garden guru" University of Minnesota Extension Horticulturist Deb Brown visits Midday to answer questions about lawns, gardens, trees and shrubs.
August 1, 1996 - Midday presents a Twin Cities speech by Yale University professor Theodore Marmor entitled America’s Misunderstood Welfare State. Marnor speaks about the controversies over welfare reform, medical care, and social security. Professor Marmor speech was at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute.
August 6, 1996 - Mainstreet Radio's Catherine Winter visits the last remaining tugboat company in the Duluth Superior harbor. For more than 150 years, big ships have sailed the Great Lakes, from state to state and out to the sea. For nearly as long, little tugboats have helped the great freighters in and out of harbors, broken ice for them in winter, and rescued boats in emergencies.
August 6, 1996 - In connection with "National Night Out,” Midday presents a program about the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts. Studio guests Travis Christopher, member of the Brooklyn Park Police Department and president of the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association; and St. Paul Police Lieutenant Richard Gardell share their insights and answer listener questions.
August 8, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steven Young visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, polls, and voter pessimism.