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.
July 5, 1999 - Recent immigrants to Minnesota comment on why they've chosen to move to the United States and whether they feel that America lives up to its promise.
July 5, 1999 - Pulitizer Prize-winning historian and author David McCullough relates some of the great stories that make up American history, focusing on three Americans who played a large role in shaping this nation: John Adams, Abigail Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
July 8, 1999 - The July edition of our Voices of Minnesota Series featuring two Minnesota athletes - Greg Lemond, winner of the Tour de France bicycle race, and Nancy Mudge Cato, a woman who played in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.
July 21, 1999 - Mike Edgerly sits in for Gary Eichten. A discussion of the life and works of Ernest Hemingway, with St. Paul Pioneer Press editorial writer Doug Tice.
July 28, 1999 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the International Wolf Center in Ely. Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion about wolves with Bill Route, a wildlife biologist at the International Wolf Center; Ron Refsnider, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist; Mike Don Carlos, wildlife specialist with Minnesota DNR; and State Senator Gary Laidig.
July 28, 1999 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the International Wolf Center in Ely. Rachel Reabe hosts a discussion about black bears with Dave Garshelis, of the Minnesota DNR; Lynn Rogers, a bear researcher; and Bill Lea, president of American Bear Association. Program begins with a report on bears in Minnesota from MPR's Leif Enger.
July 30, 1999 - World leaders, including President Clinton and the Russian Prime Minister, are holding a summit in Sarajevo to seek stability in the Balkans. We'll discuss the prospects with Hamline University History professor Nick Hayes, who will join us from Banja Luca, Bosnia. Hayes has been spending the past week in Kosovo and Macedonia.
July 30, 1999 - A program about the western novel. Guests include Loren Estleman of the Western Writers of America and author of "The Wister Trace: Classic Novels of the American Frontier," and author and Minnesota Public Radio reporter Leif Enger.
August 2, 1999 - On the day of the Northern League All-Star Game, Neal Karlen, author of "Slouching Towards Fargo," a book about the St. Paul Saints, takes questions from listeners.
August 3, 1999 - Tuesday night is "National Night Out," when more than 32 million people around the country are expected to gather with their neighbors to build their community and prevent crime. We'll get an update on the crime situation in Minnesota from Minneapolis Police Chief Robert Olson, and Sgt. Mike Salter of the Minnesota Gang Strike Force.