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.
October 29, 2007 - Kevin Kling, one of Minnesota's best-known storytellers, explains the title of his new book "The Dog Says How," the difficulties of catching a wild beaver and why he's so obsessed with squirrel monkeys, in a recent performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Minnesota writer and humorist Kevin Kling has collected some of his best NPR pieces and new essays into his first book, "The Dog Says How."
October 29, 2007 - Kevin Kling explains the title of his new book "The Dog Says How," the difficulties of catching a wild beaver and why he's so obsessed with squirrel monkeys, in a recent performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.
October 29, 2007 - Kevin Kling, one of Minnesota's best-known storytellers, explains the title of his new book "The Dog Says How," the difficulties of catching a wild beaver and why he's so obsessed with squirrel monkeys, in a recent performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Minnesota writer and humorist Kevin Kling has collected some of his best NPR pieces and new essays into his first book, "The Dog Says How."
November 5, 2007 - Midday presents an American RadioWorks documentary titled “Wanted: Parents,”which focuses on two teens looking for adoption before they age out of foster care at 18.
November 7, 2007 - A look at the Republican presidential contenders. In the second part of a two-part series, three Republican analysts look at the forces shaping the presidential nomination battle in their party.
November 13, 2007 - Norman Mailer on life, art and politics.Literary legend Norman Mailer died Saturday at 84. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner talked about his long career in American letters in January at an event sponsored by the New York Times. The event was part of the New York Times' "TimesTalks" series.
November 21, 2007 - "Prince of Tides" author Pat Conroy says "Patricia Hampl writes the best memoirs of any writer in the English language." She has written five of them, most recently "The Florist's Daughter," which she adapted into a performance and reading recently at the Fitzgerald Theater. Minnesota memoirist Patricia Hampl has won numerous honors including a Guggenheim fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship. Hampl is also a regents professor of English at the University of Minnesota.
November 26, 2007 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Minnesota writer Jim Klobuchar about his book "Pieces of My Heart: Everyone has an Everest." Klobuchar, an award-winning former columnist for the Star Tribune, discusses collection of essays about the people on his travels who have inspired him.
December 3, 2007 - Arvonne Fraser recounts her life in politics.Arvonne Fraser has been a force in Minnesota's DFL Party for more than half a century. Fraser, who is married to former U.S. Rep. Don Fraser, disussed her new memoir "She's No Lady" recently with public radio icon Garrison Keillor.
December 7, 2007 - Two lives changed by Pearl Harbor. Ken Deans was in the Army on the Island of Oahu on Dec. 7th, l941. His base was hit during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Carl Nomura was 19 at the time and living in Los Angeles. Not long after the attack, he and 120,000 other Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps.