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.
May 13, 1980 - Fishing expert Chet Myers joins MPR's Rich Dietman for a live call-in program with listener questions about the Minnesota fishing season and other questions related to fishing.
May 15, 1980 - Pat Norby, co-founder of the "I Can Cope" cancer program at North Memorial Medical Center in Minneapolis , and program graduates Jerry Braesch and Marycole Millen discuss cancer from the patient's point of view and answer live listener questions.
May 16, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews Dennis Russell Davies, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's principal conductor, as he completes his 1972-1980 tenure with organization. Davies reflects on his time at SPCO, why he programs more contemporary music than other conductors, what different factors make up a successful orchestral season, his experience conducting at Bayreuth for the Ring Cycle, and reflecting on his time at SPCO.
May 17, 1980 - MPR's Rich Dietman talks with journalists Vaiju Mahindroo, correspondent for India Today magazine, and Bruno Lopez Kupitsky, reporter for the Mexico City newspaper Ovaciones, about their attitudes toward America, its people, and the news media after spending eight months at the World Press Institute at Macalester College in St. Paul.
May 17, 1980 - John Cuddy, manager of the wind energy project for the Minnesota Energy Agency, speaks with reporter Greg Barron after MEA hearings to review the state's energy policy going into the last two decades of the 20th century.
May 17, 1980 - Chet Meyers teaches a course in fishing at Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis where he is also an administrator. He has co-authored a book with Al Lindner. He takes Rich Dietman fishing.
May 17, 1980 - The Minnesota Outward Bound School began an experimental program for adolescents from 14-19 years old who have serious, chronic illnesses. Dr. Robert Blum, a pediatrician from the University of Minnesota and a consultant to this special program explains its rationale. The program provides rigorous wilderness and urban experiences teaching self-reliance to seriously ill teenagers.
May 19, 1980 - Dan Loewensen, coordinator of the Chemical Awareness Program in the Minneapolis Public Schools and "Mary", a student who is recovering from chemical dependency take questions. Also appearing is Bruce Bomier, director of the Minnesota Behavioral Institute in Anoka, Minnesota. He is former director of the state Alcohol and Drug Authority. They talk with MPR's Dan Olson about the increased use of alcohol among teenagers and the young, and answer live listener questions.
May 23, 1980 - Edwin O. Reischauer, Harvard University professor and Director of The Japan Institute speaking to the Harvard Club of Minnesota. The subject of the speech was the United States and east Asia in the 1980's.
May 24, 1980 - Mrs. Nouha al-Hegelan, wife of Faisal al-Hegelan, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, speaking to an audience at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter. Mrs. al-Hegelan's addressed topics of her country, its people and their religion, as well as politics in this country. Mrs. al-Hegelan's visit to Minnesota was under the auspices of the Delegation for Friendship Among Women.