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.
November 28, 2003 - Gary Eichten's studio guest is Hennepin County Chief Judge Kevin Burke, the 2003 winner of the William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence. He was honored in Washington last week.
November 28, 2003 - Midday presents two Voices of Minnesota conversations with Minnesota fishermen. Howard Sivertson and Walter Sve share recollections of growing up in fishing families on the North Shore of Lake Superior. It's a way of life that's practically disappeared.
December 4, 2003 - Harold Kushner, Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in the Boston suburb of Natick, Massachusetts, is probably best known for his 1981 international best seller, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." But he's also written a number of other popular books, including "Living a Life that Matters," "Who Needs God," and "After the Darkest Hour the Sun will Shine Again: A Parent's Guide to Coping With the Loss of a Child." His latest book takes a somewhat different approach. It explains why the well known 23rd Psalm, "The Lord is My Shepherd," has proved so helpful to so many in times of distress. Rabbi Harold Kushner spoke last month at Wayzata Community Church at an event sponsered by Bookcase of Wayzata. He explained that he took a different approach to writing his latest book.
December 11, 2003 - Six children were crushed to death by a collapsing wall during an assault by U.S. forces on a compound stuffed with weapons in eastern Afghanistan, an American military spokesman said Wednesday, the second time in a week that civilians have died in action against Taliban and al-Qaida suspects. Today on MIDDAY, an update on the situation in Afghanistan and a discussion with Ambassador Peter Tomsen.
December 11, 2003 - A remembrance of the late Gisela Konopka. The internationally known University of Minnesota professor of social work died Tuesday. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and was a resistance fighter during World War II. She was interviewed in 1995 for MPR's Voices of Minnesota series.
January 17, 2004 - Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling talks with Gary Eichten about MPR. He also takes listener questions and comments.
January 23, 2004 - A Twin Cities speech by Abigail Thernstrom, author of "No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning". Thernstrom says this is the central civil rights issue of our time. She spoke Thursday at the Center of the American Experiment.
January 30, 2004 - Pulitzer Prize-winning author and columnist, Thomas Friedman, speaking Thursday on his experiences working in Minneapolis, Beirut, and Jerusalem. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Friedman, a St. Louis Park native, is the author of many books, including "Longitudes and Attitudes: The World in the Age of Terrorism."
February 16, 2004 - What compells someone to run for president? Host Gary Eichten and his guest explore the characteristics of the men who have served as commander in chief.Guest: William Doyle, president historian and author of "Inside the Oval Office: The White House Tapes from FDR to Clinton."
February 18, 2004 - A speech by William Ouchi, education researcher, professor of management at UCLA, and author of "Making Schools Work: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Your Children the Education They Need." He spoke recently at a Minnesota Meeting event in Minneapolis.