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.
June 20, 1995 - Chris Georgacas, Independent Republican state party chair, provides commentary into the IR candidate field that will potentially run against incumbent U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone.
June 9, 1995 - Fred Corrigan, of executive vice president of The Minnesota Transportation Alliance, discusses future community needs and debate over gas tax at the State Capitol.
June 8, 1995 - Susan Wolf, University of Minnesota law professor and associate at Minnesota Center for Biomedical Ethics, provides commentary on how medical ethics apply when deciding who is eligible for transplants.
June 8, 1995 - Becky Kelso, state representative for District 35B and chair of Minnesota House Education Finance Committee, talks about University of Minnesota’s plan for cutting jobs while raising tuition.
June 1, 1995 - Tom Horner comments on the fight for choosing Independent Republican's party leadership. Horner also discusses the polarization between and within state political parties.
June 1, 1995 - On this Midday program, Michael Osterholm answers listener questions about infectious diseases and the effect of modern medical science.
May 31, 1995 - As part of the Voices of Minnesota series, MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews former Federal Judge Miles Lord, who talks about judicial temperament, politics, and his post judgeship as a personal injury attorney. Lord says he is in excellent health and having a very good time.
May 25, 1995 - Linda Kohl, director of Minnesota Planning Agency, details a new state agency that is being created - Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The idea is to provide better services to families.
May 25, 1995 - U.S. Senator Rod Grams provides updates on tax and spending cuts bill being debated between Congress and President Clinton.
May 23, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews U.S. Senator Rod Grams about wide-ranging tax relief bill being pitched in Congress.