MPR News editor-at-large and retired host Gary Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at Minnesota Public Radio, including news director, special events producer and station manager. He has served as host for Minnesota Public Radio's live, special events news coverage, and has hosted all of the major news programs on Minnesota Public Radio, including Midday, which he hosted for more than 20 years.
A graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Eichten began his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at KSJR (Minnesota Public Radio's first station). Among the honors Eichten has received during his career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting award for best local news program. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame. Eichten has also been awarded the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession.
May 7, 1997 - Midday presents a special "Voices of Minnesota" program featuring the accounts of three Minnesotans during the Holocaust of World War Two. MPR reporter Dan Olson's conversations include the experience of Lucy Smith of St. Paul, who spent her childhood hiding from Nazis in Poland; the recollections of Reider Dittman, who was sent to a concentration camp; and a description of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp by Twin Cities architect Leonard Parker.
May 6, 1997 - Midday presents a broadcast of columnist and author Ellen Goodman speaking on the changing role of women at the second annual Women Ventures Conference held in downtown Minneapolis.
April 30, 1997 - Midday focuses on the discussion at the state Legislature about the future of a new baseball stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Host Gary Eichten speaks with MPR reporter Bill Wareham, who presents a summary of the various proposals and audio clips of committee debate. Ideas presented include gambling revenue options, cheaper alternatives to a stadium, buying a team, selling Metrodome to teams for $1.00, and buying season tickets.
April 29, 1997 - Midday looks at the President's Summit on America's Future, which calls upon volunteers to help America’s young people. Host Gary Eichten talks with Jim Kielsmeier, president of the National Youth Leadership Council, who is in Philadelphia for the summit. Program includes listener call-in questions.
April 24, 1997 - Midday looks at health care with guests David Thorson, a family medical physician; and Jan Malcolm, vice president of Public Affairs and Philanthropy at Allina Health. Topics include family practice, managed care, and insurance companies. Thorson and Malcolm also answer listener call-in questions.
April 23, 1997 - Author and columnist Molly Ivins is guest speaker for this Frank Premack Memorial Lecture at University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute. Ivins talks the meanness of contemporary politics.
April 17, 1997 - Midday focuses on education with guests Larry Pogemiller, DFL state senator, and Sandra Peterson, president of the Minnesota Federation of Teachers. Pogemiller and Peterson discuss common schools proposal, education standards, school choice, various programs, and answer listener call-in questions.
April 11, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten has a conversation with former Senator Eugene McCarthy during a visit to the Twin Cities for a couple of public book readings. During the program, McCarthy reads from his publication, Selected Poems, and answers listener call-in questions.
April 7, 1997 - As part of Minnesota Public Radio’s Voice of Minnesota series, MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews George Latimer, former St. Paul mayor. Latimer talks about his life and work, beginning in the early 1940's in Schenectady, New York, where Latimer grew up as a shopkeeper's son. He would become, and still remains, one of Minnesota's most popular politicians.
April 2, 1997 - Midday discussion with two state legislative leaders to talk about issues facing lawmakers halfway through the session, including welfare reform bill, abortion, immigrant assistance, taxes, and education. Guests Speaker of the House Phil Carruthers and Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson share their viewpoints and answer listener call-in questions.