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.
May 18, 1995 - Public and political analyst Sarah Stoesz comments on organized labor discontent and its impact on Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor party.
May 18, 1995 - On this Midday, MPR’s Mark Mulcahy reports on the status of Minnesota state legislative as session nears an end. Following report, MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Steve Sviggum on jets and corporate blackmail, Larry Pogemiller on K-12 education, Becky Kelso on higher education, Carol Flynn on transportation, John Marty on elections and gift bans, Matt Entenza on child support, Ron Abrams on city/suburb wars, Gene Merriam on the big picture, and Doug Johnson on taxes.
April 27, 1995 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews a member of the Minnesota Health Department about the quality and safety of tap water in Minnesota, either sourced from wells, lakes, streams, or public water supply.
April 27, 1995 - With the home opener at hand, local sports commentator Howard Sinker gives his rough appraisal of Minnesota Twins in the 1995 MLB season.
April 26, 1995 - A Midday call-in program about the ethical issues involved in genetic testing with guest Susan Wolf, member of the University of Minnesota Center for Biomedical Ethics.
April 26, 1995 - Attorney General Skip Humphrey comments on U.S. Supreme Court ruling that threw out a federal law that bans a guns from 1,000 ft of school grounds. Humphrey notes that there is a state law in place that is still in effect.
April 21, 1995 - On this Midday program, Dr. Stephen Carter, author of the book The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivializes Religious Devotion, talks in the MPR studios about religion and public life.
April 17, 1995 - Stephen Young, an attorney who was with the USAID in Vietnam and taught Vietnamese history at the University of Minnesota; and Steve Sherlock, a Vietnam combat veteran, former activist in Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and founder and president of Aid to Southeast Asia, discuss the Vietnam War and any lessons that can be learned from U.S. involvement. Young and Sherlock also answer listener questions.
April 13, 1995 - Cal Larson, state senator representing the 10th District, details his plan submitted at the state capitol that increased property valuation cannot be higher than the consumer price index (CPI).
April 12, 1995 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone comments on his views of federal "corporate welfare." Wellstone describes various bills going through the Congress.