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.
December 29, 1999 - Midday continues its year in review with Chris Gilbert, Political Science Professor and department Chair at Gustavus Adolphus College. Gilbert will discuss the major political issues and events of 1999 and will talk about the presidential race and other important political stories to follow in 2000.
December 29, 1999 - A "Minnesota Century" special - reports from Minnesota at the turn of the Century, 100 years ago.
December 31, 1999 - Russian President Boris Yeltsin resigned this morning. Melor Sturua of the University of Minnnesota Humphrey Institute and a columnist for Isvestia; Nick Hayes, Hamline University History Professor, and Patrick Dale, St. Olaf College professor, join to discuss.
December 31, 1999 - We've been talking about it for months- even years, and finally we're on the brink of the Year 2000. Today, Jon Gordon, MPR reporter and producer of Future Tense; and Mike O'Connor, retired Internet pioneer and volunteer Y2K advisor for St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, provide last minute Y2K tips and take questions. We also monitor what's happening when the clock strikes 12 around the world.
January 3, 2000 - A speech about the impact of the global economy, by Benjamin Barber, director of the Walt Whitman Center for the Culture and Politics of Democracy at Rutgers University. He is the author of the best-seller Jihad versus McWorld.
January 4, 2000 - Arthur Caplan, bioethicist and director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania and former director of a similar center at the U of M, talks about key ethical issues in the new millennium. Topics include breakthroughs in genetics, biology and stem cell research. Caplan also answers listener questions.
January 4, 2000 - A Commonwealth Club speech by Dr. Robert Butler, President of the International Longevity Center in New York City. His speech is titled, "The Wonderful New World of Longevity: Celebration or Calamity." Author of Why Survive: Being Old in America.
January 5, 2000 - On his 72nd birthday, Walter Mondale, former vice-president, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about America's role in the world, the year in politics, and the century ahead. Mondale also answers listener questions.
January 5, 2000 - As Governor Ventura meets with legislative leaders about legislative priorities, MPR’s Gary Eichten asks for listener call-in commentary on what legislative priorities should be. Program includes an interview with Ventura from previous week, and a call from Steve Sviggum, Minnesota House majority leader. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
January 20, 2000 - Jeff Kahn, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics; Dave Somers, professor in the department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota, discuss the question "What are GMO's?" (Genetically Modified Organisms).