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.
March 8, 1979 - Today's report covers Vietnam, the presidency, public trust and student activists.
March 9, 1979 - Vietnam symposium studies the effect the war had and has on America.Author and national defense specialist Herbert Y. Schandler, Marquette University journalist and professor and former Presidential Press Secretary to Lyndon Johnson, George Reedy, and moderator Hy Berman of the University of Minnesota History Department discuss relations between the Presidency and the Congress as a result of the war. Also, former Minnesota Congressman Donald M. Fraser and Notre Dame professor David C. Leege discuss the Vietnam War's effect on public confidence.
March 10, 1979 - The plight of the Vietnamese refugee, like that of the Vietnam veteran, are the two most visible reminders of a war most Americans would prefer to forget. The ten day conference held at Macalester was one of the first national post-war forums to examine the effects of Vietnam. The conference considered how the war changed America's values, communication, lifestyles, political institutions, economy and foreign policy.
March 12, 1979 - Dr. Margaret Olwen Sanderson, of the University of Minnesota Human Sexuality Program, talks with Dan Olson about human sexuality. Sanderson specializes in study of sexual physiology.
March 14, 1979 - MPR’s Bob Potter and Dale Connelly report from the stadium hearing held by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Topics include various financial and lease negotiations with the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings regarding a new downtown stadium.
March 14, 1979 - Radio Sweden's Al Simon prepared a summary of Isaac Singer's interview appearances in Stockholm while he was there to receive the Nobel Prize in literature.
March 16, 1979 - Richard Leakey, anthropologist and director of the National Museums of Kenya, speaking in St. Paul. Leakey talks about the Foundation for Research into the Origins of Early Man and how Australopithecus Boisei, a relative of the human race, fits into the evolution of humans.
March 16, 1979 - The Minnesota House Tax Committee hears tax proposals to help finance a downtown Minneapolis domed stadium, including a 2% liquor tax. The committee votes to repeal the liquor tax. After vote, MPR’s John Merli interviews various committee members.
March 17, 1979 - John Boland, former chairman and executive director of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council, speaking on challenges and accomplishments during his tenure. Boland also discusses issues still before the body.
March 17, 1979 - On this special regional public affairs program, Midday presents an examination of causes, agents, and consequences of Irish immigration to America and Minnesota in history, interview, and song.