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.
January 14, 2010 - Miep Gies, the woman who helped hide Anne Frank from the Nazis and later saved Anne's diary, died this week in Amsterdam. She was 100 years old. Midday features a remembrance of Gies, plus an excerpt from an interview with Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel.
February 3, 2010 - On the eve of the 2010 legislative session, Gov. Tim Pawlenty joins Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to answer questions about the state budget and the issues that will be the focus of the upcoming legislative session. He talks about the legislature, government spending, unallotment, GAMC, teacher unions, mortgage foreclosures
February 24, 2010 - Award-winning Minnesota history author Dave Kenney discusses the history of the Boy Scouts in central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Kenney is out with a book on the subject, entitled Honor Bright: A Century of Scouting in Northern Star Council. Kenney also answers listener questions.
February 26, 2010 - A day after President Barack Obama gathered top lawmakers in Washington for a bipartisan summit on health care, former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger, chair of the National Institute of Health Policy at University of St. Thomas, assesses the ideas and accomplishments of the all-day session.
March 1, 2010 - As part of the Meet the Candidates series, Midday”s Gary Eichten interviews three Independence Party candidates for governor to discuss issues facing the state and take questions from listeners. Guests are Rob Hahn, Tom Horner, and John Uldrich.
March 10, 2010 - Midday features a rebroadcast of two Voices of Minnesota stories about women in World War II. Program includes the profiles, interviews, and a brief NPR report on Women Airforce Service Pilots.
March 22, 2010 - Two national experts explain all the details and broader policies of the health insurance reform bill passed and expected to sign by President Obama.
March 23, 2010 - University of Minnesota family practice physician Dr. Jon Hallberg joins Midday in the studio to talk about medical issues in the news. Guest: Dr. Jon Hallberg: Family practice physician, Mill City Clinic. Assistant professor of family medicine, University of Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio medical commentator. Gary Eichten hosts.
March 26, 2010 - On this Midday program, a collection of reports in which MPR News explores how changing our food culture could help cure obesity.
April 1, 2010 - Homelessness is on a sharp rise in Minnesota as unemployment and foreclosures have forced people out of permanent housing. The St. Paul-based Wilder Research survey counted nearly 9,500 homeless people - up more than 20% from the 2006 count. Greg Owen, consulting scientist at Wilder Research and director of the new homelessness study; and Laura Kadwell, director for the state program Ending Long-term Homelessness, discuss the survey results and answer listener questions.