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.
June 3, 2003 - Hour 2 of Midday featuring two Voices of Minnesota interviews with Opera singer Vern Sutton and Bonnie Morris, the founder of the Illusion Theater.
June 4, 2003 - Writer and humorist Calvin Trillin has written 22 books, and his work has appeared in Time magazine, and The New Yorker. He has written about everything from culture to cuisine. He spoke at the Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka. The event was part of the Pen Pals Lecture series, from The Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
June 11, 2003 - A last-minute infusion of money will allow the Minnesota Gang Strike Force to remain intact through another year after the Legislature grabbed most of its budget to help balance the state budget. Attorney General Mike Hatch announced that his office was providing $135,000 to help the strike force stay afloat. Created in 1997, the strike force brings together officers from across the state to work as one unit in fighting gang crime. What is the future of the strike force, and predicted summer gang activity in Minnesota? Ron Ryan, commander, Minnesota Gang Strike Force, discusses these questions.
June 12, 2003 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with former Minnesota U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy on past and current presidential campaigns, candidates, and the Presidency of George W. Bush. McCarthy also answers listener questions.
June 16, 2003 - Minnesota's Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty joins host Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to discuss current events and answer listener questions. We discuss upcoming trade trip, and other issues facing Minnesota and the nation.
June 16, 2003 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the 20th century's greatest Christian theologians. He also was involved in several attempts to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Host Krista Tippett speaks with Martin Doblmeier, director of the new documentary Bonhoeffer, which examines how this pacifistic figure struggled with some of the greatest moral issues of his day, and became an emblem of personal faith and conscience.
June 17, 2003 - Hume Cronyn, the versatile stage and screen actor who charmed audiences with his portrayals of irascible old men and frequently paired up with his wife, Jessica Tandy, died of cancer Sunday. He was 91. His last public appearance was at the Guthrie Theater last month, when he talked with the theater's Artistic Director, Joe Dowling.
June 24, 2003 - Gov. Pawlenty says Democrats are making reckless allegations that budget considerations have prompted his administration to consider releasing sexual predators. Pawlenty says the allegations are untrue, and he won't allow early release of sexual psychopaths being held for treatment after their prison terms end. He says Minnesota's policy is unchanged. Kevin Goodno, Human Services Commissioner joins to discuss.
June 26, 2003 - Minnesota is often praised for its unusually vibrant arts and culture scene and during this hour. We hear a Voices of Minnesota interview with writer and publisher Emilie Buchwald, the winner of last year's McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist award. Buchwald was a founder of Milkweed Editions, the influential literary press based in Minneapolis. But now, after decades in the business, Emilie Buchwald is retiring as publisher of Milkweed Editions and she is being honored at a reception Thursday at Open Book in Minneapolis, the literary arts building that she helped bring into being.
June 27, 2003 - With his smallish stature, knobby knees, and slightly crooked forelegs, he looked more like a cow pony than a thoroughbred. But looks aren't everything; his quality, an admirer once wrote, "was mostly in his heart." Gary Eichten talks with Laura Hillenbrand, about the story of the horse who became a cultural icon in Seabiscuit: An American Legend. Program contains pledge drive segments.