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.
October 6, 1998 - Rod Grams, Minnesota Republican U.S. Senator, discusses his plan for phasing out social security with IRA style personal retirement accounts and welfare style federal safety net. The proposed bill is called “The Personal Security and Wealth and Retirement Act.” Grams also answers listener questions. Toward end of program, Virginia Reno, Director of Research for National Academy of Social Insurance, shares details on subject of Social Security reform.
October 7, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls. In this first hour of program on Minnesota's wetlands and waterfowl, Rachel Reabe interviews Tim Bodeen, director of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center; Kevin Brennan, member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife; and Dr. Jay Leitch, economist at North Dakota State University. The group discuss Minnesota's vanishing wetlands, actions being taken to protect them, and educating the public about the wetlands.
October 7, 1998 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls. In this second hour of program on Minnesota's wetlands and waterfowl, Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion on hunting in the wetlands with Doug Wells, wildlife manager at the Fergus Falls office of Natural Resources; and Tom Brimhall, chairman of the local Ducks Unlimited. Reabe then interviews John House, wildlife artist, and winner of DNR duck stamp contest.
October 9, 1998 - General election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Virginia and Cloquet Chamber of Commerce, and broadcast from Hibbing. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate.
October 9, 1998 - Bob Meek, DFL commentator, and Nancy Longley, Republican commentator, provide analysis of the general election gubernatorial debate in Hibbing. Meek and Longley also answer listener questions.
October 12, 1998 - Gubernatorial forum on education, held at St. Thomas University, and sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), University of St. Thomas, and Minnesota Public Radio. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in forum. Candidates spoke and answered questions from audience.
October 12, 1998 - Joe Nathan, Director of the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute's Center for School Change, provides analysis of the AAUW Gubernatorial forum on education. Program also has an interview with Ellen Delaney, the new Minnesota "Teacher of the Year."
October 28, 1998 - On this edition of MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, a profile of two long-time Minnesota political activists; Geri Joseph of the DFL and Republican Kathleen Ridder. The two women have played a major role in shaping politics in Minnesota.
October 29, 1998 - As part of our Meet the Candidates series, David Minge, 2nd District DFL congressman; and Craig Duehrin, his Republican challenger, discuss their campaigns and the issues. Topics include family values, tax cuts, and environment. Minge and Duehrin also answer listener questions.
October 29, 1998 - Live broadcast of the Westminster Town Hall Forum, featuring historian Iris Chang, author of "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II". She has titled her Minneapolis speech, "The Silence of Nanking: Human Rights and World Ethics".