MPR Journal was a daily half-hour regional news program, hosted by Gary Eichten, airing from 1984 until 1991. The program was initially titled Minnesota Journal, but in early 1985 changed to MPR Journal.
November 5, 1984 - Minnesota Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Monday, November 5th, 1984. This was the first broadcast of the Minnesota Journal program series.
November 28, 1984 - MPR’s Jo Ann Shroyer reports on University of Minnesota-Duluth hypothermia study in the freezing waters of Lake Superior. Shroyer views and describes an actual human experiment in the dangerous waters.
November 30, 1984 - Leon Thurman, co-author of the book Heartsongs: A Guide to Active Pre-Birth and Infant Parenting through Language and Singing, comments on the importance of singing.
December 6, 1984 - Aminda Badeau Wilkins (affectionally know as “Minnie”) shares remembrances about her husband, prominent civil rights leader Roy Wilkins. Much of his childhood and education was spent in St. Paul.
December 27, 1984 - MPR’s Gary Eichten profiles the local bar band Willie and the Bees as the band prepares to call it quits. Segment presents an interview with band founder Willie Murphy about the band and their sound.
January 7, 1985 - Minnesota Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Monday, January 7, 1985.
February 7, 1985 - MPR’s Lisa DeRemee reports on local reactions as the town of Sauk Centre prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Sinclair Lewis’ birth. The “hometown son” has a complicated relationship to area, as his famous book Main Street provides a less than stellar fictional portrait of town and its residents.
March 5, 1985 - Minnesota Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of day/evening reports and news items for Monday, March 5, 1985.
March 7, 1985 - Robert Collins reviews Jon Olive’s play, Careless Love.
April 29, 1985 - MPR Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Monday, April 29th, 1985. This was the first broadcast as MPR Journal, with Minnesota Journal program series being renamed.