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 31, 1979 - Author Carol Bly of Madison, Minnesota reads from her poem "The Gift of Splendid Sound."
September 1, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Greg Barron interviews Steve Isaacs, editor of the Minneapolis Star. Topics of discussion include criticism of paper's apparent move away from what has been traditionally called hard news, Isaacs' plans for the paper, and future of the evening daily.
September 1, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, Rich Dietman talks with bookseller James (Jim) Cummings, who has a collection of over 7,600 diaries in his home in Stillwater, Minnesota. Cummings has kept a personal diary since he was 13.
September 8, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, a preview of the Minneapolis mayoral primary election to succeed retiring Mayor Al Hofstede. Candidates in the DFL primary include Don Fraser, former U.S. Congressman (the DFL endorsed candidate); James Rice, Minnesota state representative; Tim Campbell, gay activist, and others. Candidates in the Independent Republican primary include Mike Barros (Independent-Republican endorsed), and others. Charles Stenvig, former mayor, is the Independent candidate for general election.
September 12, 1979 - NPR reporter talks to members of the Twin Oaks community in Louisa County, Virginia. Twin Oaks commune was founded in the mid 1960s as a model from psychologist B.F. Skinner's utopian novel Walden Two.
September 15, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Greg Barron, producer of “The Way to 8-A" documentary; and Eric Janus of the Supreme Court Committee on Mental Health, about mental commitment procedures.
September 20, 1979 - American Indian writer Jamake Highwater talks to a group of TV producers, artists and business people attending Minneapolis Conference on Children's Television Programming, sponsored by Action for Children's Television, an advocacy group based in Boston.
September 22, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman examines the history of Minneapolis. Dietman interviews Tom Trow, archeologist for the Minnesota Historical Society; Larry Ingalls, genealogist at Church of Latter-Day Saints; Father Alan Moss, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes; and Marcella Trujillo, Chicano studies professor at University of Minnesota.
September 24, 1979 - Robert Dole at the National Town Meeting discussing problems associated with refugees. At the National Town Meeting, the topic of refugees and what should be done with them is discussed by Republican Senator Bob Dole of Kansas; Ambassador Dick Clark, United States Coordinator for Refugee Affairs and Dale de Haan, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees.
September 28, 1979 - MPR's Alan Searle interviews Michael Sherbourne, who has worked as a full-time volunteer since 1969 and is considered the main conduit of information between Soviet dissidents and the western world. Sherbourne discusses his over five thousand telephone calls to friends and relatives of Soviet dissidents and other denied exit visas from the Soviet Union. Sherbourne was interviewed in the Twin Cities before travelling to Washington to speak at a conference on the fate of the dissidents.