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.
March 6, 1980 - Donald Stingel, one of the directors of the Export-Import Bank, speaking at “Minnesota and World Trade: Agriculture and More” forum, sponsored by The Department of Commerce and the Minnesota League of Women Voters. Stingel’s topics included U.S. trade and the Export-Import Bank.
March 7, 1980 - Part of the Walker Arts Center series on Modernism. The speech presents challenges faced by the writer, the reader, and the critic. Literary critic Hugh Kenner discusses the meanings of modernism.
March 8, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan profiles and interviews poet and novelist Marge Piercy.
March 11, 1980 - Author Susan Pearson and illustrator Charles Mikolaycak discuss children's literature and answer listeners' questions.
March 14, 1980 - Reporter Mary Stucky spoke with Andrea Hinding, the editor of a new historical reference book on American women, put out by the University of Minnesota.
March 18, 1980 - Dan Olson interviews Judith Younger of the University of Minnesota Department of Elementary Education. They discuss issues concerning children's literature, including the use of social themes and the censorship of some works. Call-in show.
March 21, 1980 - Joseph Lowery, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, speaking at Macalester College as part of the Hubert Humphrey Endowed Lecture series. Lowery addressed the role of Blacks in the United States. Following speech, Lowery answered audience questions.
March 22, 1980 - Anthony Bouza, Minneapolis police chief, speaking before a Citizens League breakfast in Minneapolis. Bouza talked about first month in office and elaborated some on what he hopes to do in the next few years.
March 22, 1980 - Deborah Boehm, nurse-clinician at the Breast Diagnostic Center, part of the Child Bearing-Child Rearing Center at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Ted Nagle, consulting physician at the Breast Disease Diagnostic Center talk about detection of breast cancer and treatment, and women's health issues in general.
March 24, 1980 - Interview with John Orlock, resident playwright for the Cricket Theater in Minneapolis. His latest work is called "Revolution of the Heavenly Orbs", which opened recently at the Cricket.