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 13, 1999 - On this Midday program, Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton talks about her budget priorities, drop in crime, education, taxes, housing, ideas for a new ballpark, and other city matters. Sayles Belton also answers listener questions.
August 16, 1999 - North Dakota native and internationally known youth worker Trudi Able Peterson Hoefler, shares her firsthand experiences as a runaway street kid - what the life is like, what the kids are like, and what society should do to help them. She spoke at the Chautauqua Lecture Series in New York. She's the author of two books, "Children of the Evening" and "Children of the Street."
August 17, 1999 - Second District congressman David Minge and U of M Economist C. Ford Runge discuss proposals to help Minnesota farmers deal with their economic problems.
August 18, 1999 - The Advertising Council is sponsoring a series of public service announcements this evening urging parents to talk with their children about violence. We speak with Mary Lewis Grow, national coordinator of the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence; and Judy Ladd, past president of the American Middle School Counselor Association and currently on the president's expert panel for violence prevention.
August 19, 1999 - We talk to two St. Paul citizens who were on the ball bark tour in Denver, former DFL lawmaker Ray Faricy and Marla Gamble, jewelry designer and painter and treasurer of the St. Paul Art Collective, plus Minnesota Public Radio reporter William Wilcoxen who join us from Denver.
August 19, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura's speech on the state’s role in dealing with the farm crisis, held at the Minnesota Rural Summit in Duluth.
August 20, 1999 - We'll talk with former Minnesota house speaker Harry Sieben on the ethics involved in Ventura's wrestling ring appearance at Summerslam this weekend.
August 25, 1999 - Our August edition of Voices of Minnesota features Mississippi River biologist Calvin Fremling on the 75th anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife refuge.
August 27, 1999 - A "Talk of Minnesota" program, presenting the views of MPR listeners on tax rebate checks. Topics include questions of what should be done with them; should the government have kept the money; should overall taxes be cut; who should get the credit for the nation's biggest tax cut.
August 30, 1999 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Mike Mulcahy, MPR’s political editor; Sara Janacek, republican analyst; Bob Meek, DFL commentator; and Julie Shortridge, reform party activist, about politics at a live broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair. Topics include Governor Ventura, Minnesota senate race, and 2000 presidential race. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.