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.
June 2, 1998 - Constance Swank, Research Director of the AARP, discusses American Association of Retired Persons study about the opinions of "Baby Boomers" about their retirement years. Swank also answers listener questions. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) was in Minneapolis for its national convention.
June 3, 1998 - An MPR special on the environmental implications of the deformed and declining populations of frogs. Ron Heyer, Curator of Amphibians & Reptiles at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the Chair of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force, discusses the issue and answers listener questions. Program begins with a report from MPR’s Mary Losure, who interviews various experts in the science community.
June 3, 1998 - Thirty years ago, in 1968, Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy was running for the U.S. presidency. Former Senator McCarthy looks back at that time and talks about the politics of today. McCarthy also answers listener questions.
June 4, 1998 - Dr. Allen S. Levine, Director of the Minnesota Obesity Center, at the VA Medical Center, discusses the implications of The National Institutes of Health’s new body weight guidelines. Levine also answers listener questions. The Obesity Center has researchers from the VA, the Mayo, the U of M, and the Hennepin County medical Center.
June 5, 1998 - Gary Eichten broadcasts from the DFL State Convention in St. Cloud, and talks with some of the gubernatorial candidates, MPR political commentators Bob Meek, Tom Horner, Sarah Stoesz, and Sarah Janacek.
June 5, 1998 - Gary Eichten continues broadcast from the DFL State Convention in St. Cloud, and talks with some of the gubernatorial candidates, MPR political commentators Bob Meek, Tom Horner, Sarah Stoesz, and Sarah Janacek. Also includes various reporting on floor from MPR reporters Mark Zdechlik, Martin Kaste, and Karen Louise Boothe.
June 8, 1998 - MPR's Senior Business and Economics Editor Chris Farrell talks about the banking industry's latest merger, Norwest Corporation of Mpls, and Wells Fargo of San Francisco. It's a 34-billion-dollar deal and follows on the heels of the First Bank-US BankCorp takeover. Farrell also answers listener questions.
June 9, 1998 - Midday presents a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast on what's being called the "New Midwestern Farm Crisis." The program contains reports on farming issues, including insurance, scab plant disease, government programs, global markets, and Freedom to Farm Act.
June 9, 1998 - Norman Ornstein, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and respected political analyst, addresses Minnesota Meeting. Ornstein’s speech was titled, " Getting Big Money Out of U.S. Politics: What We Can Do Now." Speech is followed by a question and answer period. Minnesota Meeting is a non-profit corporation which hosts a wide range of public speakers. It is managed by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
June 10, 1998 - On the opening day of the World Cup Soccer Championship, Alan Merrick, former pro player and coach, who now runs the Alan Merrick Soccer Academies, in Bloomington. Merrick discusses the various styles of play throughout the world. Merrick also answers listener questions.