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.
May 16, 1978 - MPR's arts reporter Nancy Fushan and Jazz Image host Leigh Kamman prepared this sound portrait of the Twin Cities jazz scene as it existed from the late 1920s to the 1950s, collecting stories on the musicians who played it and the people who listened to it.
May 17, 1978 - MPR's arts reporter Nancy Fushan and Jazz Image host Leigh Kamman prepared this sound portrait of the the post-1950s and contemporary jazz scene in the Twin Cities, collecting stories from musicians, educators, and club owners on an era of both creativity and strife.
May 20, 1978 - On this regional public affairs program, excerpts from a recent public hearing on the agency report, held in Minneapolis. It begins with a brief summary of the report by John Milhone, director of Minnesota Energy Agency.
May 22, 1978 - On this Midday ‘Playwrights' Lab’ hour special, a feature of short dramatic pieces by area playwrights. Program also includes arts reporter Nancy Fushan talking with playwrights-in-residence Mark Frost and Jon Olive, who discuss their works.
May 23, 1978 - Hollywood playwright Ring Lardner Jr. speaks about blacklisting at the University of North Dakota Writers Conference. Lardner Jr., a member of the "Hollywood Ten", was blacklisted from 1940s through the 1960s for being a member of the U.S. Communist Party.
May 27, 1978 - Dr. Robert Coles, noted child psychiatrist and instructor at Harvard, speaking at a conference on parenting held in Bloomington. In speech, Coles reflects on his time with Robert Kennedy.
May 30, 1978 - Eudora Welty, noted Southern novelist, talks about her unique style of writing, her early career as a photographer, and reads portions of her favorite short story. Program also presents an address by Welty at University of North Dakota Writers Conference.
June 13, 1978 - Dr. Allen Hymes, cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Usharbudh Arya, Director of Minneapolis Meditation Center and Charles Bates, Director Twin Cities Yoga Society, discuss total health.
June 17, 1978 - On this regional public affairs program, an examination on the problem of arson and what can be done about it. The Citizens League issued a report on arson in the Twin Cities, and the crime’s impact on the community.
July 4, 1978 - Bruce Hilton, a Methodist minister, speaking on bioethics at North Dakota State University. Hilton talks about birth, life and death. Topics include moral dilemmas in medical technology growth and genetic engineering.