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 21, 1973 - MPR’s Bill Siemering interviews poet Mark Vinz, editor of Dakota Territory. The interview is broken into three segments. Vinz talks about the use of regionalism in writing, young writers, and conflict/war. Vinz also reads numerous poems.
June 24, 1973 - Part eight of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “The New Doctor on Old Main Street” and discusses if physicians are being adequately prepared to live in small communities, as well as community reaction to them.
July 1, 1973 - Part nine of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “Just One Studded Tire” and looks at the problems of people living on state borders. What do the boundaries prevent them from doing?
July 8, 1973 - Part ten of the MER documentary series, A Sense of Place. Program is titled “Water: Words and Music.” Program profiles a meeting on June 15, 1973 regarding asbestos fibers found in Lake Superior.
September 1, 1973 - Moorhead poet Mary Anne Pryor reads her poetry about the region.
September 1, 1973 - Minnesota poet Robert Bly lectures about the importance of reading poetry aloud, starting with Homer, and feeling poetry vs. knowing it.
September 18, 1973 - Vine Deloria Jr., a treaties expert and author of "In Utmost Good Faith" and "We Talk, You Listen," talks with Kevin McKiernan. Topics include religion, treaties, and Wounded Knee.
September 23, 1973 - Local poets Thomas McGrath and Mark Vinz speaking at IMAGINATION 1973 in Fargo, North Dakota. McGrath and Vinz also read poems to the audience.
October 4, 1973 - Brief report on American Indian Movement (AIM) rally at University of Minnesota on September 25, 1973, followed by various speeches from rally. Speakers included Allan Spear, Angela Davis and Russell Means.
October 7, 1973 - Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward speaking at Ford Hall Forum. Title of address was “Watergate: A National Crisis.”