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.
October 30, 1979 - John M. Bach, a coworker with Reverend Philip Berrigan, speaking as part of the Prisons and Prisoners lecture series at Moorhead State College, held in the fall of 1973. Bach shared views from a prisoner perspective. Bach spent 35 months in seven federal prisons for refusing induction into military service. PLEASE NOTE: Audio contains disturbing language
October 31, 1979 - George Covington, investment executive for Blyth, Eastman and Dillan company in Minneapolis, discusses the stock market. Topics include inflation, interest rates, tax shelters, and investments. Covington also answers listener questions.
November 1, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews director Scott Rubsam, playwright Lance Belleville, and actor Jim Lawless about the COMPAS-St. Paul History Theater production "James J. Hill: The Man Who Bought Minneapolis." The play will be performed at the Landmark Center. James J. Hill was a powerful railroad and grain mill magnate, and famous resident of St. Paul.
November 3, 1979 - Dr. Gerald Webers, a geologist at Macalester College in Saint Paul, talks about his upcoming three-month expedition to Antarctica, studying everything from seal behavior to upper atmospheric radiation. The expedition is being funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and will be based at Camp Macalester in the Ellsworth Mountains. Webers has agreed to send back his observations on tape from time to time so that we can hear firsthand how things are going.
November 3, 1979 - MPR’s John Ydstie interviews William Henry Waters, a North Dakota farmer during the 1930s and 40’s, who reflects on the struggles of living through the Great Depression. This program was presented in marking the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Depression.
November 3, 1979 - Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author and widow of Charles Lindbergh, speaks at the Minnesota Historical Society's 130th annual meeting on fitting memorials for great persons.
November 5, 1979 - MPR's special live coverage of election night results, including that of the Minneapolis mayoral race, in which Don Fraser is called as winner. Program includes various reports and commentary from outgoing Minneapolis City Council President Lou DeMars.
November 12, 1979 - Governor Al Quie call-in program.
November 19, 1979 - Robert Jewett, author of "The Captain America Complex: The Dilemma of Zealous Nationalism," lectures at the University of LaCrosse on how superheros are part of the nation's religion and US foreign policy were developed from biblical interpretations.
November 21, 1979 - Edward “Teddy” Kennedy, Democratic presidential candidate, speaking at Macalester College. Kennedy addresses his candidacy and his reasons for opposing President Jimmy Carter.