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, 1973 - Part two of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “Prairie People, River Folk and Denizens of the Big Lake Region” and focuses on how geography influenced the settlement of various regions in the state.
May 16, 1973 - Inside Wounded Knee. Kevin McKiernan, who was inside the occupied village of Wounded Knee, described his experience and plays taped actualities of fire-fights between federal marshals and those inside the village. One hears conversations between Red Arrow, the government radio, and the central command radio of Wounded Knee-Clearwater.
May 20, 1973 - Part three of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “A Region Within Walls” and focuses on motherhood with young children.
May 26, 1973 - A desperate act, a scream for attention, a cry for help: a discussion on adolescent suicide. Connie Goldman interviews members of the staff of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center and youth counselors from the Center for Death Education and Research at the University of Minnesota.
May 27, 1973 - Part four of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm?” and focuses on life on the farm and of the farmer.
May 31, 1973 - Journalist Carl Bernstein, co-winner of the Pulitzer prize, speaking at the University of Minnesota. Bernstein's speech is on Watergate and the current state of political affairs. Speech is followed by Bernstein answering questions from the audience.
June 3, 1973 - Part five of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “Mining, Music and Much Ado about Sports”, exploring the relationship between a miner and the giant corporation he works for.
June 10, 1973 - Part six of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “All the News that's Fit” and is a study of how journalism influenced regional feeling as the state grew.
June 17, 1973 - Part seven of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “More Than One Wilderness” and profiles living in Minnesota, from city to cabin.
June 21, 1973 - MPR’s Bill Siemering has a conversation with poet Thomas McGrath about poetry and politics. McGrath also reads his poetry.