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.
August 29, 1996 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone talks about his vote against a welfare bill in U.S. Senate that he sees as too harsh. Wellstone details his hope that changes will be made in coming year.
August 30, 1996 - Midday host Gary Eichten speaks with guest Bob Cabana, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA and three-time space shuttle astronaut. Listeners call in with questions.
September 2, 1996 - On this special Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with political analysts Bob Meek and Tom Horner at the MPR Fair booth. They discuss politics at the traditional start of the campaign season. Meek and Horner also answer fairgoer questions.
September 3, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Irma Coleman, director of Teaching and Learning in Department of Children, Families, and Learning, about state testing requirements being instituted in order for student to receive a highschool diploma.
September 6, 1996 - Midday discusses various considerations involved in making public and private investments, including social factors as well as financial factors, with guests Chris Farrell and John Schultz . This week the the State Board of Investment considered the advisability of investing in tobacco stocks, and individuals make decisions like this as well.
September 11, 1996 - In connection with a local visit of the King and Queen of Sweden, Midday features a program about Sweden and Swedish immigrants to Minnesota. Studio guest is Mariann Tiblin, of the University of Minnesota; and phone guest is professor Byron Nordstrom of Gustavus Adolphus College. Tiblin and Nordstrom talk about Scandinavians and history on settlement in region.
September 12, 1996 - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and Nobel Prize winner, speaks at Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for the annual Global Voices Lecture series. Heaney reads numerous poems during speech.
September 13, 1996 - Midday airs a Minnesota Public Radio documentary about Bosnia, entitled Face of Mercy, Face of Hate. After documentary, MPR's Stephen Smith, who produced piece, will be in the studio to answer listener questions, along with correspondent Michael Montgomery, who is in Sarajevo and contributes via phone.
September 18, 1996 - Midday features a Talk of Minnesota program on political debates. Listeners are asked what they want to hear from candidates and which candidates should be invited to participate.
September 20, 1996 - Joanne Benson, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, discusses plans for “Minnesota Clean-up Day” and ongoing efforts in addressing pollution of Minnesota River.