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.
March 11, 2003 - James Fallows, author and international correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly discusses the long-term repercussions of the United State's military and political involvement in Iraq.
March 19, 2003 - Playwright John Guare talks with Guthrie Theater Artistic Director, Joe Dowling, about his writing, life, and play "Six Degrees of Separation" at the Guthrie Theater March 1st through April 6th.
March 25, 2003 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews former DFL Senator Eugene McCarthy discusses his world views and the current situation in U.S.-Iraq War.
April 25, 2003 - A speech given Wednesday by historian Howard Zinn, at the University of St. Thomas, about the war in Iraq.
April 26, 2003 - A special weekend edition of Midday’s “Ask the President” series, with Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling answering listener questions about programming and policies at MPR. Topics include war coverage, new headquarters initiative, archival material, and the web.
May 2, 2003 - Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and executive director at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government spoke Wednesday at the University of Minnesota. Power says the United States should do more to try to stop genocide throughout the world. Her recent book is "A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide". The event was arranged by The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts.
May 6, 2003 - Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro gave Monday's Distinguished Carlson Lecture at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. He is the author of a multi-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson, the most recent book is Master of the Senate, which won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize.
May 7, 2003 - Gov. Pawlenty, former governors Quie and Anderson and Vice President Mondale are all attending a tribute dinner for longtime Sen. Roger Moe. Sen. Moe reflects on his decades at the Capitol, reflecting on a career in public service.
May 12, 2003 - A Midday broadcast of four former Minnesota governors (Arne Carlson, Wendell Anderson, Elmer L. Andersen, and Al Quie) speaking at the 2003 Freeman Forum - Community, Consensus & the Common Good.
May 15, 2003 - Renowned writer and University of Minnesota Regent's professor Patricia Hampl delivers a speech entitled The Inside Story: How Autobiography Can Change Your Life - and World History. The literary memoir has grown in popularity and cultural influence over the past few decades, invading territory once held by historians and novels. Hampl discusses the power of the first-person narrative. The event, the 2003 Lindbergh Lecture, took place at the Minnesota History Center on Tuesday.