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 17, 1975 - Langdon Gilkey, professor of theology at the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, speaking at the Nobel Conference XI, held in St. Peter, MN. Gilkey’s address was titled “The Future of Science.” Gilkey is author of numerous books, including "Maker of Heaven and Earth", "How the World Can Minister to the World Without Losing Itself", and "Religion and the Scientific Future."
October 20, 1975 - Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian explorer and anthropologist who sailed across the Pacific on the balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki, speaking at Concordia College.
October 21, 1975 - Vine Deloria, an expert in Indian treaties and author of "Custer Died For Your Sins" and "God is Red,” speaking at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth on Indian rights and public policy.
October 31, 1975 - Psychotherapist, author and lecturer Dr. Rollo May speaking at Augsburg College. May’s address was titled "Awareness and Community." Dr. May was key note speaker at a conference entitled, "Exploring Personal Options Within Community", sponsored by the Women's Center of the Saint Paul YWCA and Augsburg College. His speech examined the tension produced when one's private environment expands and comes into conflict with one's public environment.
November 6, 1975 - MPR’s Bill Siemering interviews Marisha Chamberlain about her experience in Poetry Out Loud and the subject of poetry in general.
November 7, 1975 - MPR’s Bill Siemering interviews Dr. Roland Dille on Sinclair Lewis, author of “Main Street.”
November 15, 1975 - A network MPR Special call-in program on the history and scope of the energy crisis, both nationally and in Minnesota. KSJN guests in St. Paul are John Millhone, director of the Minnesota Energy Agency; Michael Murphy, project manager for The Future Choices: Energy Program at the Upper Midwest Council; and Gary Moore, architect at Bergstedt, Wahlberg, Bergquist and Rohkohl. KCCM guest in Moorhead is Dr. Duane Dahlberg, associate professor of physics at Concordia College. WSCD guests in Duluth are Vice President for Corporate Planning of Minnesota Power and Light Company; and Gordon Levine, geographer from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
November 25, 1975 - MPR's Kevin McKiernan's inside story on the Menominee Indian takeover of the Alexian Brothers monastery in Gresham, Wisconsin. McKiernan is the only reporter to have gotten in and out of the monastery during the occupation with useable recorded material. He lets the Indian faction tell their story.
November 28, 1975 - John Millhone, Minnesota Energy Director, speaking to the Minnesota Farmers Union on energy and agriculture. In speech, Millhone suggests new techniques which farmers might use to conserve energy, saying that present farming techniques are reaching a point of diminishing returns due to energy crisis.
November 28, 1975 - Congressman Bill Frenzel speaking on the Tax Reform Act of 1975 at the 21st annual Tax Conference in Minneapolis.