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.
June 14, 1980 - David Durenberger in studio for Listener call-in on "Send a Message to Washington" program.
June 16, 1980 - Minneapolis attorney Ellen Dresselhuis discusses litigation based on affirmative action or the lack of it among employers with MPR's Dan Olson.
June 17, 1980 - Writer, photographer and artist Gordon Parks speaking at Our Creative Community conference at the Spring Hill Center in Wayzata, Minnesota. Parks address was titled “Universality in Art.” Subjects of speech included his time in Minnesota, race issues, the Civil Rights movement, and education.
June 21, 1980 - St. Paul mayor George Latimer, recently inaugurated for his third term, answers live listener questions from the studio in St. Paul.
June 23, 1980 - University of Minnesota nutrition expert Isabel Wolf answers listener questions on weight loss diets and other nutritional issues.
June 28, 1980 - Dr. Frances Hill, professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin, speaking at the second annual Farm Women's Forum in Rochester, Minnesota. Hill’s address was about the changes in the roles and lives of farm women, based on her interviews with over one hundred Midwestern farm women. These changes include the demise of the family farm, and secondly, a change in women's personal rights.
June 30, 1980 - Islam is a religion not well understood in the west, but one person familiar with it is University of Minnesota Professor of Islamic studies Dr. Caesar Farah. Dr. Farah joined reporter Tom Meersman to discuss Islam and what some have called its 'revitalization' in the past few years.
July 12, 1980 - Minneapolis mayor Don Fraser answers listener questions in-studio.
July 15, 1980 - Mary Zimmeth Schomaker, author of the book "The Women's Guide to Re-entry Employment," speaking to North Dakota extension homemakers at North Dakota State University. Schomaker's book is a step-by-step guide for finding a job, with such advice as how to line up references, how to fill out job applications, and how to develop good interviewing skills.
July 16, 1980 - June Zeitlin, director of the Department of Health and Human Services' office on domestic violence, discusses partner and family abuse.