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.
April 26, 1980 - At the Midwestern Conference on Folk Arts and Museums held in Saint Paul, art historians, professors, and museum directors met to discuss the issue of defining folk art. Determining what's art and what's not art is an old question. But among those experts in the folk arts, the dilemmas appear especially keen. Nancy Fushan attended the conference and prepared this report.
April 29, 1980 - University of Minnesota agricultural economist James Houck discusses farmers' spring planting intentions, food price predictions, and possible problems arising from American reliance on foreign trade to sell agricultural produce, among other issues. Call-in program.
April 30, 1980 - Ezer Weizman, Israeli defense minister, speaking in Minneapolis after receiving the Distinguished International Service Award from the University of Minnesota. Weizman address was on the topic of Middle East peace negotiations between Israel and Egypt, the American attempt to rescue hostages in Iran, and other issues.
May 3, 1980 - Brian Job, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, speaking at World Law Day observance sponsored by the United Nations Association of Minnesota, the Minnesota Council, Social Studies Teachers and other groups. Job’s topic was on controlling terrorism. This is an edited portion of speech.
May 3, 1980 - City Segments is an exhibit at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis featuring new urban planning designs of top architects from around the world. MPR's Nancy Fushan prepared this report on the exhibit and on a two-day symposium attended by architects whose work is represented in the exhibit and by urban design critics.
May 3, 1980 - Psychologist G. Alan Marlatt of the University of Washington at Seattle, a specialist in dealing with people have been unsuccessful at breaking habits, talks with MPR reporter Tom Meersman about methods he has used to help people break bad habits.
May 5, 1980 - William Colby, former director of the CIA, speaking at Macalester College in St. Paul as part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Lecture Series. In address, Colby traces the evolution and need for American intelligence activities, how it is changed today, and the debate over what's appropriate and what techniques are responsible. Colby is the author of two books; "Intelligence Secrecy", and "Security in a Free Society", and "Honorable Men: My Life in the CIA."
May 8, 1980 - MPR's Nancy Fushan interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Donald Justice, who talks about writing poetry and reads some of his poems.
May 8, 1980 - MPR's Nancy Fushan interviews film animator Robert Breer about his work, the art of animation, and other issues.
May 10, 1980 - Stan Breen, leader of the Minneapolis -based American Refugee Committee, which has recruited health care professionals to aid the refugees in Southeast Asia, holds a news conference to discuss his recent sixteen-day tour of refugee camps along the Thailand border with Kampuchea.