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.
September 28, 1998 - Tim Penny, former Minnesota congressman, discusses his book, "The 15 Biggest Lies in Politics." Penny states that some of the things we think of as basics in American government are really lies, such as tax cuts, balanced budgets, the influence of money in elections, and more. Penny also answers listener questions.
September 29, 1998 - Our September installment of the MPR "Voices of Minnesota" series is a special baseball edition, with profiles of Minnesota baseball stars Paul Molitor and Kirby Puckett. MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki interviews Molitor and Jim Bickal interviews Puckett. Following interviews a conversation with sports commentator Howard Sinker and call-in from listeners.
September 30, 1998 - Robert Olson, Minneapolis police chief, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the decrease in crime in Minneapolis, and the elements of effective police work. Topics include downtown nightlife and higher arrest rates. Olson also answers listener questions.
September 30, 1998 - "The World Turned Upside Down," an American RadioWorks documentary about deflation, with MPR's Steven Smith and Chris Farrell. Contains various interviews and commentary.
October 1, 1998 - Tom Emmert, Gustavus Adolphus history professor and Balkan scholar, discusses the background and update on the developments in Kosovo. Emmert also answers listener questions. Emmert is writing a book about the history of Serbia, for a forthcoming Stanford University series.
October 1, 1998 - Midday presents the first general election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and broadcast from Brainerd Community College. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate. Topics include state surplus, taxes, healthcare, agriculture, education, and stadium funding.
October 2, 1998 - Father Robert Drinan, former Massachusetts Congressman, and Elizabeth Holtzman, former New York Congresswoman, share insights into the presidential impeachment process. Both were members of the House Judiciary Committee which investigated President Nixon. Drinan and Holtzman also answer listener questions.
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.