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.
April 24, 1979 - MPR’s live coverage of Minnesota House Energy and Utilities Committee hearing on fuel supplies in Minnesota. Program includes various speeches and commentary, including that of Dick Wiggly, chairman of the Minnesota House Energy and Utilities Committee, and Al Johnson, director of Minnesota Energy Agency.
April 26, 1979 - Marcia Gelpe, University of Minnesota Law Professor, speaking at Public and Private Land Use Rights Forum held at Wilmar Community College. Gelpe’s addressed the subject of eminent domain. This is an excerpt of speech.
April 26, 1979 - Leslie Green, head of the Minnesota Parole Board, talks with MPR’s Pat Kessler about the work of the board. Topics include his own personal criminal history and reflecting on what it’s like to be on both ends of the table of a parole board session.
April 28, 1979 - On this special regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Dale Simonson of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota; Judge Susanne Sedgwick of Hennepin County District Court, Family Division; and Reverend Jay Croft, director of the Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped, who discuss mental health resources in the community. Highlighted topics include a definition of mental health, child abuse, and coping with special frustrations of being handicapped.
April 30, 1979 - Sister Thomas More, professor of history at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, speaking on the history of women in agriculture.
May 1, 1979 - John Manning, a professor of Reading Instruction at the University of Minnesota, speaking at the Reading-Go-Round, a week-long series of seminars, workshops, and reading activities at the downtown Dayton's auditorium in Minneapolis. Manning discussed the importance of reading at home with children. This is a major portion of that talk. Dr. Manning is nationally-known as a consultant, researcher, and author in the field of teacher education with emphasis in beginning reading instruction.
May 2, 1979 - Dr. Ray Sterling, director of the University of Minnesota's Underground Space Center, and Kathleen Vadnais, editor of "Earth Shelter Digest", talk with MPR’s Dale Connelly about earth sheltering. Sterling and Vadnais give insight into structures and their energy benefits. They also answer listener questions.
May 5, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, two points of view on Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II). Author Sidney Lens and Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, speaking at Carleton College in Northfield, share their perspective of the SALT II Treaty and our strategic future.
May 7, 1979 - MPR’s Dan Olson presents a live profile of the Commodities Futures Exchange and the Cash Grain Market from the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Grain traders, elevator operators, grain inspectors and farmers explain why the Minneapolis Grain Exchange is important to them. Interviews include Merlin Mills, president of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.
May 12, 1979 - On this special regional public affairs program, MPR’s Nancy Fushan and Tom Meersman examine current economic and legal issues affecting visual artists. The landmark court action involving late abstract painter Mark Rothko's estate is highlighted, via the comments of an attorney on the case.