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 18, 1977 - Dr. Philip Raup, agricultural economist and professor at the University of Minnesota, speaking on land use and growth in Minnesota at conference of the Minnesota Planning Association. The Minnesota Planning Association Annual Conference theme was "Who Says Planning is for Pros?" and at held Sheraton Inn Northwest, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Objectives of the conference were to identify issues in state & regional planning; identify means of coordinating planning with other governmental agencies; and determine economic and environmental impacts of planning.
April 19, 1977 - During a special hour-long evening program, Governor Rudy Perpich answers questions from callers. Topics include education, energy, environment and social issues.
April 19, 1977 - This Midday program features highlights from a conference on space colonization held last fall sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Commission, the Minnesota Futures Society, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. It was designed to explore the ethics of sending people to live and work in outer space.
April 21, 1977 - Governor Rudy Perpich "Arts" speech to the 70th Session of the Minnesota State Legislature at the Arts and Science Center. Major points of speech were adoption of his budget towards state arts board, allocation for works of art in state buildings, and increase in public sector support.
April 22, 1977 - Midday presents segments of a sound portrait on Dunn Center, a small town in Western North Dakota, whose fate will be determined by the massive coal development scheduled for the area.
April 26, 1977 - Anita Nelam, vice chairwoman of the National Women's Political Caucus, speech about the need for women to continue the pressure of getting more women into positions of authority in the Carter administration, followed by two excerpts from a rain-shortened gathering of NOW at supporters at annual conference in Detroit, with commentary on ERA’s need to strengthen its support.
April 30, 1977 - Dr. Herbert Benson, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Medicine, speaking at Lifestyles in a Stressful World conference at University of Minnesota, and sponsored by the University Hospitals Volunteer Association. In his address, Benson discusses some of the causes of hypertension and his suggestions for reducing it.
May 7, 1977 - Russell Peterson, president of New Directions, speaking at the University of Minnesota on occasion of World Law Day. Peterson’s speech was titled “Citizen Action and World Order.” His remarks were followed by questions from the audience. About New Directions: Founded in 1976 by several people including Norman Cousins; Margaret Mead; Ruth Clusen, the president of the National League of Women Voters; and Paul Warnke, among others. New Directions has been called an international counterpart to the self-styled citizens lobby, Common Cause.
May 12, 1977 - U.S. Representative Donald Fraser, of Minneapolis, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Fraser spoke on his bill regarding future use of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota. Fraser's bill would ban entirely any logging or use of motors from both the interior and exterior portions of the BWCA.
May 12, 1977 - Congressman Jim Oberstar, of the 8th district, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Oberstar, who represents an area which includes the BWCA, spoke on his bill proposing legislation which would add more territory to the existing million acres of the BWCA and roughly split the land between a wilderness area for hiking and canoeing only, and a "recreational area" where motorboats, snowmobiles and some logging would be permitted.