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.
August 8, 1979 - Michael Fedo, author, talks with Claudia Hampsten, about his new book "They Was Just Niggers" about the the Duluth lynching of three black men in 1920.
August 9, 1979 - Brian Jennings, Rand Corp and author of the book "International Terrorism; a New Mode of Conflict" speaks on the subject at an Iowa State University symposium on "Humankind in the 1980s."
August 11, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, C. Donald Peterson, Minnesota State Supreme Court justice; John Finnegan, executive editor at St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch; and Marshall Tannick, Minneapolis attorney and former journalist, discuss a number of 1979 court decisions affecting first amendment press rights including freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the people's right to know.
August 13, 1979 - Bill Angell, extension housing specialist at University of Minnesota; and Richard Sweere, vice president of construction for Stuart Construction Company in Minneapolis, discuss the availability of mortgage money, the cost of housing, and some guidelines for rehabilitation of the home. Angell and Sweere also answer listener questions.
August 13, 1979 - Midday presents “The Way to 8-A,” a documentary sound portrait on the involuntary commitment to Hennepin County General Hospital's Ward 8-A, a psychiatric ward. Program looks at the people being committed, those doing the committing, the staff, and the entire process of involuntary commitment.
August 17, 1979 - Professor Robert McKinnell, of the Department of Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Minnesota, talks with MPR’s science reporter Rich Dietman about the controversy and research concerning cloning.
August 18, 1979 - Highlights of President Jimmy Carter's Citizens Energy briefing held at the Landmark Center in Saint Paul prior to his departure on a week-long trip down the Mississippi River to St. Louis on the sternwheeler riverboat the Delta Queen.
August 23, 1979 - Dick Gregory speaking before a youth session of the NAACP
August 24, 1979 - MPR’s Dan Olson and Rich Dietman visit the National Weather Service office. They talk to meteorologist John Graff and others who explain their forecasting equipment, the costs of the operations, trends in weather, and other aspects of their work.
August 29, 1979 - Michael Novak, author and scholar at the American Enterprise Institute speaks.