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 10, 1998 - Ted Mondale, former state senator and DFL Gubernatorial candidate talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the issues and his campaign. Topics include polls, tax cuts, social issue investments, incentives and parenting challenges. Mondale also answers listener questions.
August 11, 1998 - Rev. Ron Smith, co-pastor of University Baptist Church of St. Paul; and Dan McElroy, Minnesota state representative for Burnsville, discuss the campaign watchdog group organization "Political Racism is Offensive to All Citizens Task Force" (aka as Pro-Act). Smith and McElroy also answer listener questions.
August 12, 1998 - Chris Farrell, MPR’s senior business and economic editor, and Art Rolnick of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, discuss decline on Wall Street and the economy --and the impact on Minnesota. Farrell and Rolnick also answer listener questions.
August 12, 1998 - Warren Hanson, president of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund; and Charlie Warner, chairman of the Right to Housing Campaign, discuss the state of affordable housing in Minnesota. Topics include shortage of subsidized housing and increasing rents. Hanson and Warner also answer listener questions.
August 13, 1998 - Doug Johnson, state senator and DFL Gubernatorial candidate talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the issues and his campaign. Topics include taxes, polls, police protection, gambling, farm issues, and gun permit laws. Johnson also answers listener questions.
August 13, 1998 - An MPR Special presenting interviews with all seven major party gubernatorial candidates on welfare, followed by listener reaction to the candidates. Program begins with brief reports on the various candidates.
August 14, 1998 - Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about her new budget for the city and the wide range of issues facing the city: housing, crime, schools, jobs, transportation and more. Program starts with discussion about Shubert Theatre and Block E development.
August 14, 1998 - Walter Mondale, former U.S. vice president and former ambassador to Japan, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the foreign service, the Asian economic crisis, and campaign finance. Mondale also answers listener questions.
August 17, 1998 - Tim Penny (DFL) and Vin Weber (R), co-directors of the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum, discuss President Clinton’s upcoming testimony before the grand jury, and the implications for the presidency, public leadership, and the distinction between public and private lives of elected officials. Penny and Weber also answers listener questions. Program begins with a brief report.
August 17, 1998 - Michael Ciresi, lead attorney in the Minnesota tobacco trial, speaking at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association in Alexandria. In a keynote address, Ciresi speaks about his experiences.