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.
October 7, 1974 - Former Attorney General William Ruckelshaus and Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. discuss how the last decade has affected the outlook of Americans in a National Town Meeting from September 29, 1974.
October 9, 1974 - Documentary on Southwestern Minnesota tour of ‘Minnesota Poetry Out Loud’ - a week-long caravan of Minnesota poets operating out of Camden State Park, south of Marshall, giving formal and informal readings at the end of July 1974.
October 16, 1974 - Robert Benedetti, dean of theatre program at California Institute of Arts discusses his view of acting, actors and the place of theater in American life. Earlier this fall, over 2,000 people involved in some aspect of the American theater convened in Minneapolis for a week of workshops, seminars and inspirational addresses. One of those people was Robert Benedetti, dean of the theater program at the California Institute of Arts. He talked with Connie Goldman about his view of acting, actors and the place of theater in American life.
October 16, 1974 - "Projected Images" was an exhibition held at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, showcasing works by six artists who used film making, audio and video techniques in their art. Connie Goldman spent some time with artist Robert Whitman, where he gave insight into his work at exhibition.
October 17, 1974 - Seminar at Hamline University on Peace Corps in Latin America. Panel consists of Geoffrey Barnard, Jan Fiola, Tom Sinks, Mary Dalbottom, Doris Vincent, and Frederick Gridley. These former volunteers tried to evaluate the Peace Corps as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy and an instrument of social change.
October 24, 1974 - Population day concerns with Donald Fraser, University of Minnesota sociology professor Dr. Robert Kennedy and doctoral candidate Robbi Lamers talk about world population conference.
November 8, 1974 - Connie Goldman attended a workshop of welfare workers, social service agencies and law enforcement personnel on the topic of incest. Goldman collected interviews from various members of workshop, and a speech from Dr. John Brantner of the Division of Health Care Psychology at the University of Minnesota Hospitals.
November 15, 1974 - Dr. David Ward, professor of criminal justice at University of Minnesota, speaking on possible techniques to standardize and equalize the now very arbitrary process of parole. Speech was given at a quarterly meeting of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, where Ward was the keynote speaker.
November 17, 1974 - Writer and philosopher Ayn Rand speaking at Ford Hall Forum. Rand’s address was titled “Egalitarianism and Inflation.”
November 18, 1974 - Mark Schubert, Director of Education for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, speaking to educators about arts in education during a preview of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts Park. Schubert examined what the relationship between the arts and education is.