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 13, 1996 - Midday puts the focus on education as MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews David Berliner, professor at Arizona State University and author of the book The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools. Berliner also answers listener questions.
May 9, 1996 - Local political commentator Tom Horner comments on a survey that show the public believes that if Bob Dole becomes the U.S. President, that taxes will be raised.
May 8, 1996 - Midday presents a special Talk of Minnesota program to hear the views of Minnesota Public Radio listeners on the proposed cut in the federal gas tax repeal and energy conservation in general.
May 7, 1996 - Lisa Peterson, vice-president of government relations at Minnesota Trucking Association, discusses reasons organization and its members want gas tax cut.
May 6, 1996 - Midday examines land mines and their disastrous effects. In the first half of the program, a rebroadcast of the Minnesota Public Radio documentary about about efforts to clear land mines in Cambodia called A Plague of Plastic Soldiers. Afterwards, a call-in program about land mines and defense and military procurement issues with David Evans, director of National Defense Issues for Business Executives for National Security.
May 3, 1996 - Midday examines proposals to change the way campaign advertising is done with guests Dean Alger, political science professor and member of the Minnesota Compact Coalition; and Sarah Janecek, co-author of the newsletter "Politics in Minnesota."
May 3, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Debbie Vigdal, charter member of Saints & Sinners fan club, about her feelings regarding the St. Paul Saints signing of Darryl Strawberry.
May 2, 1996 - Midday presents Scott Cook, the Founder and Chairman of Intuit, speaking at Minnesota Meeting held at Hilton in downtown Minneapolis. Cook’s address was titled "Buying and Selling in Cyberspace: The Future of Electronic Commerce and Financial Services in the Information Age." After speech, Cook answers audience questions.
May 1, 1996 - MPR’s Gar Eichten interviews U.S. Senator Rod Grams about raising gas taxes across the country and discussion of repeal of federal gas tax increase.
May 1, 1996 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker gives his impressions of the Minnesota Twins during the first month of 1996 MLB season.