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.
August 20, 1996 - MPR’s Garrison Keillor interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning oral historian, Studs Terkel, as part of the Portland Arts and Lectures Series. Terkel talked about his life and family, and his days in radio. Studs Terkel is the author of several best-selling books including Race, and Working, and The Good War: An Oral History of World War II, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize.
August 15, 1996 - Chris Farrell, MPR's senior business and economics editor, discusses proposals being put forth by the Republicans and the Democrats this election year dealing with taxes and the economy. Listeners call in with questions.
August 13, 1996 - MPR’s sports commentator Howard Sinker discusses the faltering Minnesota Twins. Despite being in striking distance for the playoffs and having excellent play from individuals such as Paul Molitor, Sinker sees the team lacking the extra piece that would put them squarely into postseason play. Sinker is state news editor for the Star Tribune.
August 9, 1996 - On this Midday program, a discussion on past, present, and future life on Mars with guest Robert Pepin, a University of Minnesota physics professor who has been involved in space research for several decades. Pepin also answers listener questions.
August 8, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steven Young visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, polls, and voter pessimism.
August 6, 1996 - In connection with "National Night Out,” Midday presents a program about the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts. Studio guests Travis Christopher, member of the Brooklyn Park Police Department and president of the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association; and St. Paul Police Lieutenant Richard Gardell share their insights and answer listener questions.
July 19, 1996 - Midday guests New York Times Magazine writer John Tierney and Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson answer listener questions about recycling.
July 18, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bert McKasy visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, electability, tax policy, and term limits.
July 16, 1996 - Midday examines workplace changes into the next century with guest Jeremy Rifkin, noted social critic and author of The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post-Market Era. Rifkin discusses politics, manufacturing, farming, corporations, and also answers listener questions.
July 15, 1996 - Midday features a special Talk of Minnesota call-in program about number 34, the now-retired Minnesota Twin, Kirby Puckett. Program includes Puckett press conference and listener comments in the creation of an audio thank you letter to “Puck.”