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 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.
August 18, 1998 - Michael Scandrett, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and former Director of the MN Health Care Commission, and Lee Greenfield, state representative and Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division, discuss MinnesotaCare, HMO's, Medicare and Medicaid, prescription costs, and employer health benefits. Scandrett and Greenfield also answer listener question.
August 18, 1998 - Dr. Robert Butler, founding Director of the National Institute on Aging, gerontologist and medical ethicist, speaking at the AARP National convention in Minneapolis. Butler’s speech was titled "End of Life Decision Making."
August 19, 1998 - With a US West strike underway, and a Northwest Airlines strike looming, Mario Bognanno, Professor of Industrial Relations at the Industrial Relations Center of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, discusses strikes, the impact of strikes, and the negotiations that led up to them.
August 20, 1998 - Tom Satre and Jim Silva, both from the Minnesota Office of Technology; and Jerry Podkopacz, co-chair of Leonard Street and Dienard law firm's Y2K team, discuss the upcoming Y2K problem. Topics include definition of problem, potential impacts, and what individuals should do. Guests also answer listener questions.
August 21, 1998 - An MPR Special presenting interviews with all seven major party gubernatorial candidates on health care, followed by listener reaction to the candidates. Program begins with brief reports on the various candidates.
August 21, 1998 - Retired Admiral Eugene Carroll, Deputy Director of the Center for Defense Information and Ambassador Bruce Laingen, the Minnesota native who was Charge D'Affaires at the US Embassy in Tehran and held captive for 444 days starting in November 1979, discuss strategies for dealing with terrorism. Osama Bin Laden is briefly mentioned. Carroll and Laingen also answer listener questions. Laingen is now President of the American Academy of Diplomacy in Washington. MN Congressman Jim Oberstar also makes appearance on program.