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.
December 22, 1979 - On this Weekend program, a retrospective look at retiring Minneapolis City Council president Lou DeMars, who chose not to run for re-election in 1979.
December 22, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman talks with MPR producer Nick Nash on the upcoming live U.S. stereo broadcast of “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” by King's College, Cambridge.
December 22, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman presents a sound print of what Christmas is in other countries. Segments include music and discussion with Willa Ramos (Mexico), Theodora Geokazus (Greece), Maria Moran (Philippines), and Florence Hart (Scotland). The group share the different traditions and celebrations.
December 29, 1979 - Midday presents the documentary “Trampled Grass.” MPR’s Greg Barron accompanied a team of medical doctors and nurses from Minnesota as they worked in Cambodian refugee camps along Thailand's border with Kampuchea, the Khmer Rouge-controlled state that controlled Cambodia from 1975 until 1979.
January 4, 1980 - Donald Anderson, director of the Mid-American Solar Energy Complex, speaking at a conference on alternative energy and energy conservation held in Mankato, and sponsored by the Region Nine Development Commission. Donald Anderson is a former professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and helped develop solar energy products at the Sheldahl Company in Northfield. Mid-American Solar Energy Complex is a 12 state Midwestern group which is working on the technical, financial, and political aspects of solar energy.
January 5, 1980 - Nancy Fushan interviews magician Harry Blackstone, who will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. Blackstone shares details of his traveling performance.
January 5, 1980 - Attorney Jerome Rice on the aspects of being your own lawyer.
January 10, 1980 - Senator Dave Durenberger answers questions asked of him by Dan Olson and Pat Kessler, MPR reporters, and by MPR listeners.
January 12, 1980 - James Bill, professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, speaking at University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union on the events in Iran. Bill spent much of his adult life studying Iran and the Middle East and has lived there as well. In his speech, he shares his perspective on reasons behind Iranian revolution, and repercussions.
January 12, 1980 - Twin cities consulting meteorologist Bruce Watson has written a book on weather proverbs. In this interview, he talks about weather and traditional ways of predicting weather with MPR's Rich Dietman.