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.
February 17, 1995 - NPR’s award-winning author Tom Gjelten discusses his book "Sarajevo Daily: A City and Newspaper Under Siege." Gjelten also answers listener questions.
February 16, 1995 - Nadine Strossen, president of American Civil Liberties Union, discusses her book "Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights" and the subject of pornography in relation to law and community. Strossen also answers listener questions.
February 13, 1995 - Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Minnesota, provides a definition of the Office of Surgeon General.
February 6, 1995 - Midday presents a discussion on child support. Guests include Laura Kadwell, director of Child Support Enforcement at Minnesota Health and Human Services Department; Skip Humphrey, Minnesota attorney general; and Ron Sieloff, of "R-Kids," an organization of non-custodial parents and second families.
February 6, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Vern Mikkelsen, upon being named to the National Basketball Hall of Fame. Mikkelsen reflects on his game days as a Minneapolis Laker and being known by many as the NBA’s first power forward.
February 2, 1995 - On this Midday program, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson discusses federal welfare reform, state controls, health care, Prairie Island, politics, and education funding. Carlson also answered listener questions.
January 26, 1995 - Local attorney Amy Klobuchar discusses the making of the sporting dome facility in Minneapolis. In 1982, Klobuchar wrote the book Uncovering the Dome, a history of the political dealings that finally ended with the construction of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
January 25, 1995 - Morrie Anderson, Governor Arne Carlson’ chief of staff and former Minnesota revenue commissioner, explains property tax change that flows back funds through counties to disperse.
January 16, 1995 - Midday presents Juan Williams, author of "Eye on the Prize," an acclaimed book about the civil rights movement, speaking at the Minnesota celebration of Martin Luther King Day held at Concordia College in St. Paul. William’s address highlights the challenges and change ahead.
January 16, 1995 - MPR presents a special program in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Program presents a collection of various MLK Day speeches including Paul Wellstone, Sharon Sayles Belton, and Joe Kingman on behalf of Arne Carlson, at Concordia College.