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 14, 1977 - Scientist and feminist Estelle Ramey speaking in Minneapolis, as part of a series of appearances by women sponsored by Dayton's. Ramey’s topic was “Sex Hormones and Executive Abilities”, which discussed men versus women in positions of control.
May 20, 1977 - Writer and European documentary film director Marcel Ophuls lectures at the 8th annual University of North Dakota Writers Conference: Literature and Film.
May 21, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR legislative reporter Debbie Gage introduces an example of the Minnesota legislature and how they function. The debate on this program is on the Ban the Can bill, which deals with container deposit and litter.
May 23, 1977 - Black scholars from Africa, Latin America and the United States discuss prospects for a united black movement to solve common problems. The scholars were in Africa last winter for FESTAC 77, a celebration of black culture in Lagos, Nigeria.
May 27, 1977 - MPR legislative reporters Bob Potter and Debbie Gage prepared a half-hour summary of highlights from the 1977 Minnesota legislative session. Many observers have praised the orderly fashion in which many major bills were passed, though there were the expected political disagreements over tax, welfare, and other basic policies.
May 28, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, an investigation of latest research at the University of Minnesota into agriculture. A tour of University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment station is presented, highlighting food science, plant genetics, and animal science.
May 30, 1977 - Sam Ervin, former United States Senator from North Carolina and chairman of the Senate Watergate Committee, delivered the commencement address at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Ervin also interviewed at the airport about his reaction to ex-President Nixon's interviews and his own opposition to gay rights and the Equal Rights Amendment.
June 3, 1977 - Morton Sobell, the only living defendant from the 1951 espionage case of Julian and Ethel Rosenberg, addresses an audience at the University of Minnesota in Duluth on the similarities between the Rosenberg case and other "political trials" such as Wounded Knee and the Chicago 7.
June 4, 1977 - Charles Cheng, professor at the University of California at Los Angeles Graduate School of Education, speaking at a forum sponsored by the Minnesota League of Women Voters. His topic is teachers’ unions, collective bargaining, and the role of citizens in such negotiations.
June 7, 1977 - Steven Weinberg, a Harvard University physicist talks with Rachel Kranz about some underlying concepts of nature. Weinberg attended the annual Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota.