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.
February 7, 1980 - Representative Jim Wright (D-Texas), House Majority Leader, speaks to the national press club about synthetic fuel production and other issues.
February 8, 1980 - Novelist Tim O'Brien's book "Going After Cacciato", inspired by his tour of duty in Vietnam during the war, won the national book award for fiction last year. O'Brien reads from his current work, "The Nuclear Age", when he was at Worthington Community College.
February 9, 1980 - MPR arts reporter Nancy Fushan reports on the opening of the major exhibit of works by the late artist Pablo Picasso at the Walker Art Center. This exhibit includes works from Picasso's personal collection, now owned by the government of France.
February 22, 1980 - Dr. Seymour Levitt, head of Therapeutic Radiology at the University of Minnesota, answers listener questions about cancer and cancer therapies.
February 23, 1980 - John Holt, an author and educator, speaking at Unity Unitarian Church as part of that church's Wider Ministry Lecture Series. The title of his talk is, "Education versus Learning." For years, Holt has been raising eyebrows with his analysis of how we teach and learn. He’s published eight books and scores of articles on the subject.
February 26, 1980 - National Urban League director Vernon Jordan, Jr., National Urban League director, speaking at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Jordon’s address was titled “The State of Black America,” and on the status of American blacks in the 1980's.
February 26, 1980 - MPR provides live coverage of the results of the DFL and independent republican precinct caucuses in Minnesota, the first step towards the selection of delegates to national conventions.
March 1, 1980 - On this Weekend program, Albrecht Thiemann, representing a German-based group called the Action Reconciliation Service for Peace, talks of the Holocaust and about insuring that such a thing does not again come to pass.
March 1, 1980 - The Milkweed Chronicle is not a run-of-the-mill newspaper; it is printed on stiff, durable paper and contains poems and illustrations. The paper has just published its first issue. Guests are Nancy Keating (business manager), Emilie Buchwald (editor) and Randy Scholes (art director).
March 6, 1980 - Joseph Halow, Executive Director of the North American Grain Exporting Association, speaking in Fargo, ND. Halow addresses the current lack of international trade due to Soviet embargo, and the negative impact on farmers.