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.
February 7, 1996 - Barb Sykora, former chair of the Republican State Party, comments on party spending.
February 6, 1996 - Jean Bay, a health services manager at Honeywell, provides details on Life Savers Health Incentive Program, in which company offers monetary prizes to employees that succeed in improving one’s health by utilizing the program.
February 2, 1996 - MPR’s Leif Enger reports on new cold temperature record in Embarrass…and the MANY unofficial records. The extremely low temperatures are about everything from “bragging rights” to business opportunities.
February 2, 1996 - On this Midday program, a discussion on the military situation in Bosnia with guests retired Marine Colonel David Evans, director of National Defense Issues for the organization Business Executives for National Security; and Debbie Lee, the assistant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Guests also answer listener questions.
February 2, 1996 - MPR’s Gary Eichten discusses the record setting cold temperatures found throughout the state with meteorologist Mark Seeley, who explains the atmospheric scenario that created the frigid conditions.
February 2, 1996 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with officials in Embarrass, Minnesota about losing out on low temperature record to Tower, a town just to the north.
February 1, 1996 - Joe Dowling, Guthrie Theater's new artistic director, visits the Minnesota Public Radio studios to discuss the new season of Guthrie plays and the theater world in general. Dowling also answers listener questions.
February 1, 1996 - As it hovers around -20 degrees outside, Midday’s Gary Eichten asks headhunter Mark Sathe about how one is able to lure someone to move to Minnesota for a job or career.
January 24, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with State Senator Ted Mondale about his decision not to run for legislative seat. Mondale describes what he thinks of the job.
January 24, 1996 - Joe Nathan, director of Center for School Change at University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute, talks about statistics and successes of charter schools in Minnesota.