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.
June 11, 1979 - Harvey Cox, author and theology professor at Harvard Divinity School, speaking at the Unity Unitarian Church in St. Paul. His discussion of new religious movements included what he considers to be the two most important theological movements of our time: dialogical theology and liberation theology. Dr. Cox discussed each movement, and then explained how he believed they related to one another. Cox was considered by many to be the most radical theologian of the day in America.
June 16, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, a presentation of Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner, psychologist at Cornell University and a leading expert on changes in the American family, speaking at the annual meeting of the Community Planning Organization at St. Catherine's College in St. Paul.
June 18, 1979 - Minnesota poet Joe Paddock reads “Frogs,” a raucous small-town happening in a narrative poem style. “Frogs” was written by a native of Southwest Minnesota.
June 19, 1979 - MPR’s Dick Daly examines the controversy over the designation of public land in Northern Wisconsin, as part of the Roadless Area Review and Evaluations (RARE II). Reports contains various interviews and diverging viewpoints.
June 19, 1979 - KCCM's Brigid Shea and the Fargo-Moorhead branch of Amnesty International make calls attempting to verify the imprisonment of Yugoslavian Fatmir Salihu in a Bosnian jail.
June 19, 1979 - Polka Power, a report and poetic response to the polka festival subculture in the Upper Midwest with poets Joe and Nancy Paddock.
June 20, 1979 - Minnesota poet Phil Dacey reads several of his poems. There is a musical accompaniment by his wife.
June 21, 1979 - Dr. Robert Bonner, University of Minnesota Department of Medicine; and Dawn Laine, president of the Minnesota Dietetic Association, talk with Dan Olson about the effects of sugar on human bodies. Bonner takes Dan Olson on a tour of the University's Clinical Research Center. He and other scientists at the center have performed several studies in recent years on sugar.
June 21, 1979 - Nancy Paddock shows her attempts to strike a balance with nature in poem “It's a Pity." Also includes musical elements.
June 22, 1979 - Minnnesota poet Joe Paddock shows his perceptions of the migration of wild geese across the Minnesota prairie in poem “The Geese.” Also includes musical elements.