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.
November 3, 1995 - John Marty, Minnesota state senator representing District 40, comments on perception of DFL funds being used for local/community elections. Marty discusses reforms in place and what still could be done further regarding money reforms, in particular school board elections.
November 1, 1995 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy about the history of Congress and President in the use of U.S. troops. McCarthy discusses the situation in Bosnia.
October 31, 1995 - Janet Ryan shares information the on origins and folklore of Halloween with Midday’s Gary Eichten.
October 30, 1995 - A lively Midday discussion about the proposed "Jobs and a Fair Wage Initiative" which will be voted on in St. Paul. Studio guests are St. Paul businessman John McCarty and former St. Paul City Council member Paula Maccabee.
October 27, 1995 - Bonnie Campbell, director of the U.S. Justice Department's Violence Against Women office; Sheila Wellstone, U.S. senator Wellstone’s spouse; and Chief Judge Donovan Frank, of the 6th Judicial District in Northeastern Minnesota, discuss domestic violence and the Violence Against Women Act. The program guests also answer listener questions.
October 25, 1995 - U.S. Senator Rod Grams comments on Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and kid tax credits and how they relate to tax cuts being proposed in Congress. Grams states that he believes abuse is taking place in social program.
October 23, 1995 - Midday takes a look at the current mission and future of the United Nations. Guests Dick Price, political science professor at the University of Minnesota; and Harold Stassen, former Minnesota Governor and an original signer of the UN Charter over 50 years ago, share their thoughts about the organization.
October 17, 1995 - Michael Moen, director of Disease Prevention and Control Division at Minnesota Health Department, comments on state of public health system in the country and in Minnesota. Topic of battling infectious diseases is highlighted.
October 16, 1995 - With the Million Man March going on in Washington D.C., Gary Eichten discusses event with Jerry Blakey, St. Paul council member, and Kwame McDonald, executive director of Inner City Youth League. Blakey and McDonald also answer listener questions. Additional program segment of a first-hand perspective from Kevin Young, a Minneapolis carpenter, marching in D.C.
October 13, 1995 - Dean Abrahamson, professor at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute, comments on Joseph Rotblat being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Rotblat has been a leading critic of nuclear weaponry and argues that scientists should tale responsibility of their inventions.