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.
September 12, 2003 - Johnny Cash, "The Man in Black" who became a towering figure in American music with such hits as Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk the Line and A Boy Named Sue, died Friday. He was 71. Featured guests include: Public Radio's American Routes host Nick Spitzer; Ken Hippler, host of the country music show, Good and Country, on KFAI.
September 18, 2003 - On his 80th birthday, former Minnesota Governor Al Quie joins MPR Midday host Gary Eichten to discuss his life and political career. Quie also answers listener questions.
September 19, 2003 - Attorney General John Ashcroft brushed aside critics of the USA Patriot Act on Friday, saying the United States was freer and safer than it was two years ago. "American is more secure today than two years ago, and it's safer and freer than at any time in the history of human freedom," he said.
October 1, 2003 - In a live broadcast from Collegeville, Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling talks with Gary Eichten about MPR. He also takes listener questions and comments.
October 9, 2003 - David Halberstam is one of America's finest journalists and one of America's most widely read authors. He has written 19 books, 14 of which have been New York Times' best sellers. In the 1960s, when he was just 30 years old, he won a Pulitizer Prize for his coverage of the Vietnam War, and his subsequent book about the men who took us into that war, "The Best and Brightest," has been widely hailed as one of the best books of its kind. His most recent book is "The Teammates." We hear him during both hours of Midday today in discussion at a recent Pen Pals Lecture Series, sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
October 13, 2003 - Best-selling author and internationally known Rabbi Harold Kushner talks with Gary Eichten about his new book The Lord is my Shepherd. He recently wrote Living a Life that Matters and is best known for his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People.
October 16, 2003 - On this Midday, author and former columnist Jim Klobuchar talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about his adventures, life in Minnesota, and his recent books.
October 20, 2003 - A Twin Cities speech by Al Franken, author of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right". He spoke at an event sponsored by Ruminator Books in St. Paul.
October 23, 2003 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has had plenty of controversies to handle in the last few weeks: an allegation of police brutality, a failed attempt to appoint a new school superintendent, the search for a new police chief, as well as the always-present debate over a new stadium for the Twins, Vikings, and Gophers.
October 27, 2003 - President Bush said Monday that U.S. progress in Iraq is making insurgents more "desperate" and spurring attacks such as the bombings at the international Red Cross headquarters and three police stations across Baghdad that killed dozens of people. We discuss the post-war situation in Iraq with J. Brian Atwood, dean of the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. He was head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for several years.