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.
August 8, 2007 - The collapse of the I-35W bridge has sparked widespread concern about how transportation infrastructure is maintained. Midday guests Phil Krinkie and Dee Long discuss how much we should spend on our roads, and where that money should come from. The two also answer listener call-in questions.
August 9, 2007 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Dr. John Hick, a physician at the Hennepin County Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine who was at the scene of the bridge collapse within minutes. He discusses the emergency response on the scene and in nearby hospitals.
August 10, 2007 - Can Minnesota afford the upkeep of roads and bridges? Broadcast: Midday, 08/10/2007, 11:00 a.m. With the wreckage of the I-35W bridge still slumped in the Mississippi River, options for rebuilding are beginning to surface. State and federal government now must deal with questions about the eroding state of our bridges and highways and how we pay for the upkeep of our infrastructure. Guest: Tim Penny: senior fellow, Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
August 14, 2007 - With recovery efforts taking place at the site of the I-35W bridge collapse, Midday discusses ambiguous loss and how to be resilient in the face of trauma. Guest Pauline Boss, University of Minnesota professor emeritus of Family Social Science, discusses loss involving missing loved ones.
August 15, 2007 - Midday previews legislative hearings on new I-35W bridge reconstruction plans in a joint House-Senate transportation committee meeting, now that state transportation officials have unveiled a preliminary design. Gary Eichten talks with numerous legislators and takes listener calls.
August 16, 2007 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who has had to realign his budget priorities to consider road maintenance and repair in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse. Rybak hopes a Special Session at the State Capitol will help solve some of the city's financial burdens.
August 23, 2007 - Mark Seeley, climatologist and meteorologist at the University of Minnesota, stops by the MPR booth at the State Fair to answer listeners' questions about the weather and to ask weather quiz questions. Topics include extreme rainfall differentials across the state and climate change, amongst others.
August 23, 2007 - On this special Midday program at the Minnesota State Fair, former Minnesota governors Arne Carlson, a Republican, and Wendell Anderson, a DFLer, reflect on current events and politics past and future.
August 29, 2007 - What was Minnesota like 150 years ago? What were the events and trends that changed Minnesota since then? Annette Atkins, professor of History at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota;" and Brian Horrigan, historian, author, and exhibit developer at Minnesota Historical Society.
August 31, 2007 - On this special Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Garrison Keillor on the Carousel Park stage at the Minnesota State Fair.