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.
March 22, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton about children in society and her book entitled It Takes a Village.
March 21, 1996 - Midday guest U.S. Senator Bill Bradley talks about his New York Times best-selling book Time Present, Time Past and answers listener questions.
March 15, 1996 - Midday guest Bernard Brommer, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, talks about jobs and economic trends, worker training, job security, wages, and the role of unions. Broomer also answers listener questions.
March 14, 1996 - Frank Wood, commissioner of Minnesota State Corrections, comments on prisons costs on taxpayers, sentencing, and his reaction to a state analysis report.
March 14, 1996 - Midday presents Mike Wallace, of the CBS television program "60 Minutes," speaking at the National Press Club. Wallace talks about corporate influence on the media and freedom of the press.
March 12, 1996 - A Midday call-in program about the proposals to expand the Twin Cities International Airport, or build a new one. Studio guests are two members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, John Himle from Bloomington; and Steve Cramer from Minneapolis.
March 5, 1996 - On precinct caucus day, Midday speaks with Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. Guests include Bert McKasy, attorney and former state commerce commissioner; Roy Terwilliger, bank president; and Steve Young, attorney former dean at Hamline University Law School. The candidates discuss their views and and running against DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone. They also answer listener questions.
March 4, 1996 - Midday presents Vice President Al Gore speaking at the National Press Club. Gore talks about the role of the federal government in achieving a balanced budget. He answers questions from the National Press Club audience as well.
February 29, 1996 - Robert Reich, U.S. Secretary of Labor, joins Midday from Washington D.C. to talk about his proposals to address the economic insecurity many Americans face, the unemployment situation, and to answer listener questions.
February 28, 1996 - Midday presents Defense Secretary William Perry speaking at the National Press Club, who discusses US-Russia relations, among other topics.