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 1, 1995 - Baseball commentator Howard Sinker talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the Minnesota Twins trading away veteran pitching staff, leaving the team with four rookies and a second year pitcher.
July 28, 1995 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone shares his reaction to the passage of a U.S. Senate rules change that creates gift ban for members of the chamber.
July 11, 1995 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews historian Arthur McWatt about the history of Black people in Minnesota and the early days of the civil rights movement here. McWatt reflects on Roy Wilkins and local NAACP.
July 7, 1995 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker provides commentary about Minnesota Twins trade of Rick Aguilera as the team finds itself with a dismal mid-season record.
July 6, 1995 - Jim Ramstad, U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 3rd District, gives his views of tax proposals and debates going on in Congress.
July 3, 1995 - Minnesota’s U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone discusses the latest in Congress. Topics include rescissions bill, balanced budget, defense spending, cuts, and energy renewables. Wellstone also answers listener questions.
June 30, 1995 - Judith Martin talks with Midday’s Gary Eichten about how neighborhoods and race are many times intertwined.
June 28, 1995 - Joe Nathan, director of Center for School Change at University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute, comments on consolidation of some state agencies into newly created Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
June 28, 1995 - A Midday call-in program about Japan with Jerry Fisher, professor of history and communication studies at Macalester College. The topic is foreign trade as the U.S. and Japan recently reached an agreement enlarging Japan's market for American cars and car parts.
June 27, 1995 - Robert Pepin, professor of physics and astronomy at University of Minnesota, discusses the U.S. space program, Atlantis space shuttle launch, and new developments in space and astronomy. Pepin also answers listener questions.