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.
April 6, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten gets the spelling bee lowdown from Mary Theurer of Staples, Minnesota. Thuerer details the preparations and experience of students participating in state’s spelling bee.
April 4, 1995 - Roger Moe, majority leader of the Minnesota Senate, talks about the state property tax reform.
April 3, 1995 - As the Minnesota Twins come out of the Major League Baseball strike, Jerry Bell shares discount program for upcoming game tickets. Bell also expresses the ongoing concern for small market teams over a lack of revenue sharing in the MLB.
April 3, 1995 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker shares his thoughts on the state of professional baseball coming out of Major League Baseball strike. Sinker sees a long road ahead in getting fans excited again about the game.
March 29, 1995 - Jack Gillis, author and public affairs director of The Consumer Federation of America, discusses tips and information on buying a vehicle. Gillis also answers listener questions.
March 28, 1995 - Judith Martin talks with Midday’s Gary Eichten about a poll showing happiness in the suburbs of the Twin Cities. Martin describes innate differences between dense Twin Cities and sprawling suburban experience.
March 28, 1995 - George Latimer, former St. Paul mayor, gave keynote address at the Landmark Series Forum "A New American Agenda," held in St. Paul. Latimer’s speech was billed as a policy address on HUDs plans to help rebuild the cities, but it turned into much more - a largely extemporaneous discussion of America's problems and some possible solutions to those problems.
March 24, 1995 - On this Midday, Robert Olson, the new Minneapolis police chief, discusses the job and the department. Topics include violent crime, community, domestic abuse, and diversity in the force. Olson also answers listener questions.
March 22, 1995 - E. Peter Gillette, commissioner of Minnesota Trade and Economic Development; and Tom Gillaspy, state demographer, discuss labor issues in Minnesota. Topics include job market, and mismatch of skill sets between jobs and labor force. Gillette and Gillaspy also answer listener questions.
March 20, 1995 - Mark Kaczynski, energy program coordinator for Minnesota Department of Economic Security, explains state options if U.S. Congress ends Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.