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.
December 6, 1978 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Helena Sodenberg, tax consultant with Coopers and Lybrand in Minneapolis; and Ceil Victor, tax specialist for performing artists and non-profit organizations, who discuss taxes and tax exemptions for volunteers and performers.
December 9, 1978 - Excerpts from a National News Council hearing dealing with subjects, ranging from corporate ownership of newspapers to a charge of biased reporting against the New York Times. One case in particular attracted a good deal of attention - a complaint against NBC News that a recent NBC documentary was inaccurate and unfair. The program in question, called, "I Want it All Now!", portrayed the lifestyle of the residents of Marin County, California, as self-indulgent, narcissistic and hedonistic. After hearing six hours of testimony, the council ruled the program was "journalistically flawed".
December 9, 1978 - Norman Isaacs, editor-in-residence at the Graduate School of Journalism and chairman of the National News Council, speaks on freedom of the press and newspapers in modern society. Isaac’s address was at the Minnesota Press Club. This program is a summary of those remarks.
December 11, 1978 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Jose Trejo, director of the governor's Spanish Speaking Affairs Council; and Manuel Guerrero, St. Paul attorney and former chair of the Chicano Studies Department at the University of Minnesota, who discuss the plight of illegal aliens in the region.
December 14, 1978 - MPR's John Ydstie, of KCCM in Moorhead, and Dan Olson talk with representatives from American Agriculture Movement. Interviews are with Elmo Olson, North Dakota State coordinator; Tom Benson from Appleton, Minnesota; and Minnesota farmer Duane Carlstrom. In 1977, the American Agriculture Movement, a new organization that had originated in the wheat growing areas of Colorado, was spreading across the country organizing tractorcades, cattle blockades at the Canadian and Mexican borders, and other farmer demonstrations to protest the low price for farm products. The American Agriculture members finally took their demonstrations to Washington to make their point to the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of Agriculture.
December 16, 1978 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Nancy Fushan, with assistance of Claudia Hampston and Roger Gomoll, look at four artists of the Upper Midwest. Fushan interviews sculptors Mariann Angelica, Catherine Mulligan, Steve Beyer, and Judy Onofrio, who discuss their works, thoughts, and views of themselves in society.
December 18, 1978 - Barbara Tuchman, author of A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, speaks with Lynn Mitchell about the reality of the 14th century.
December 22, 1978 - Connie Goldman talks with various playwrights who tell her how they write plays.
December 26, 1978 - Poet James Dickey speaks and reads from his poetry.
December 27, 1978 - Donald Fraser, Minnesota's 5th district congressman, speaking to an audience at the University of Minnesota at Duluth. Fraser’s address was on the topic of human rights. Fraser has been called one of the nation's strongest champions of human rights. Fraser has served on the House International Relations committee and was instrumental in the house investigation of the so-called 'Koreagate' scandal in congress.