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.
July 23, 1979 - Mark Seetin, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, discusses the state of agriculture in Minnesota. Topics include economic health, end of drought, gasohol, beef prices, and American Agriculture Movement. Seetin also answers listener and reporter questions.
July 24, 1979 - In Minnesota speech, Vice President Walter F. Mondale expresses his strong support of the controversial SALT II treaty.
July 25, 1979 - MPR’s Lee Axdahl provides a report on pollution concerns of PCBs (aka - polychlorinated biphenyls) in the Great Lakes. Axdahl tours the Environmental Protection Agency's research ship Crockett as it traverses Lake Superior. Scientists on the vessel are examining the health of the water.
July 26, 1979 - Kenneth Young, Director of the Department of Court Services, Hennepin County; Cindy Turnure, Director of Research for the Crime Commission Planning Board; and Ray Cummings, Director of Planning and Evaluation for Court Services talks with MPR’s Dan Olson about crime in Minnesota. Topics include FBI study noting 17% increase in national crime statistics.
July 27, 1979 - Cesar Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers, speaking at College of Saint Teresa’s Institute on Justice. The theme was “Attaining Justice Through Compassionate Leadership."
July 28, 1979 - Dr. James Kern, psychologist and former professor of guidance and counseling at Winona State University, speaking at a conference of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota at Carleton College in Northfield. The theme of conference was "The Value of Children.” Kern shares stories and insights of the child.
July 30, 1979 - MPR reporter John Ydstie presents sound portrait of a powwow celebration. Ydstie went to the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota and recorded various interviews and performances from the Ojibwe cultural event.
July 30, 1979 - Jane Kretzmann, director of the Minnesota Indochinese Resettlement office of the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare, and Tom Vang, originally from Luang Prabang and an interviewer in Southeast Asian resettlement camps, discuss the plight of the refugees and what is being done for refugee resettlement in Minnesota with Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson.
August 4, 1979 - In this documentary, Craig Oliver, of public station WAMU in Washington, traveled to Minnesota as part of a national examination of the D.C. congressional representation question, with three-quarters of a million residents of the district having no voting representatives in the U.S. House or Senate. The Minnesota legislature is one of six state legislatures in the country which have voiced approval of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, designed to give the District of Columbia full congressional representation. 38 states must agree to ratify, within seven years, if the proposed amendment is to take effect. Program presents various reports and interviews from opponents and supporters of amendment.
August 8, 1979 - KCCM reporters Brigid Shea and John Ydstie present a sound portrait on the National High School Rodeo finals in West Fargo, North Dakota. The report includes various interviews and highlights of the week-long competition with some of the best young cowboys and cowgirls in the world.