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 1, 2005 - The death of civil rights icon Rosa Parks has reminded America of the racism in its not-so-distant past. During the days of the Jim Crow South, Minnesota was thought of as an island of tolerance…Was it? Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with W. Harry Davis and Janabelle Taylor, two well-known Black community figures in the Twin Cities.
November 9, 2005 - The citizens of Minnesota's two largest cities cast resounding votes in their mayoral elections, sweeping Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to a second term and choosing Chris Coleman as the next St. Paul Mayor over incumbent Randy Kelly. What will the election mean for the Twin Cities?
November 10, 2005 - Salman Rushdie, the Indian-born British novelist who was forced into hiding after the Iranian government put out a death warrant on him in 1989, speaks Thursday at the Westminster Town Hall Forum in downtown Minneapolis.
November 11, 2005 - Judith Miller, the New York Times reporter whom journalists defended for protecting her anonymous sources and criticized for her reporting on weapons of mass destruction, has ended her 28 year career at the paper. What impact has the Miller affair had on the Times and on journalism in general?
November 14, 2005 - Voices of Minnesota visits two prominent Native American Minnesotans: Helen Blue-Redner is the former chairwoman of the Upper Sioux Community, and Carl Gawboy is an artist.
November 24, 2005 - Former Star Tribune columnist Jim Klobuchar talks about his book “Walking Briskly Toward the Sunset," which collects some of essays about Minnesota, Uganda, politics and courtship.
November 24, 2005 - This year's edition of "Giving Thanks" includes music, poetry, stories and much more. One highlight is a rare recording of Charles Laughton in which the actor connects his personal discovery of Chartres Cathedral with an excerpt from Jack Kerouac's "The Dharma Bums" and the 104th Psalm.
December 2, 2005 - While out of public office for almost 7 years, former Governor Arne Carlson still hasn't stopped thinking about how to improve government. Carlson has taken up the cause of civility in politics and responsibility in public finance and talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about his efforts.
December 6, 2005 - 2,600 Minnesota Army National Guard troops are in Camp Shelby training for deployment in Iraq. What is on the minds of Minnesota's military personnel? Midday explores that in report profiling the Minnesota Army National Guard's First Brigade Combat Team, followed by a conversation with MPR reporter Mark Zdechlik.
December 7, 2005 - The Twin Cities are home to two of the nation's preeminent ethnic theaters. Voices of Minnesota profiles Lou Bellamy, director of the African American Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul; and Rick Shiomi, director of Minneapolis' Mu Performing Arts, which presents Asian-American theater and traditional Japanese Daiko drumming.