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.
January 12, 1995 - Judy Knapp, director of the St. Paul-based Minnesota Smoke-Free 2000 Coalition, details results of cigarette tax poll.
January 10, 1995 - Larry Pogemiller, Minneapolis DFL state senator and chair of the State Senate's Education Committee; and Arlene Bush, the president of the Minnesota School Boards Association and a member of the Bloomington School Board, discuss public school funding issues. Topics include failed referendums and school cuts to staff and programs. Pogemiller and Bush also answer listener questions.
January 9, 1995 - Sheila Corbett, University of Minnesota student body president, shares her thoughts on student apathy at the school and across the nation. Corbett is critical of the media and lack of government accomplishments.
January 6, 1995 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Bill Davis, the new NAACP Minneapolis executive director. Davis discusses his top priorities, including upcoming national convention being held in the Twin Cities, increasing membership, and a youth focus.
January 3, 1995 - A Midday discussion on welfare reform with KJ Jacobson from Women for Change; Susan Rowe from the welfare rights group Women, Work and Welfare; and John Petraborg, deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
January 2, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Sandy Stephens, former Minnesota Gopher quarterback about his recollections of playing in the Rose Bowl. Stephens was the first African American All-American starting quarterback at University of Minnesota.
December 29, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with John Marty, DFL state senator, about recommendations to moving back primary election date from September to early summer in order to reduce party infighting and increase public participation.
December 28, 1994 - Chuck Siggerud, metro division engineer for the Department of Transportation, discusses a court ruling that has blocked construction of section of County Rd 18 in Scott County. The source of controversy is state noise rules and highway construction.
December 27, 1994 - Steven Schier, professor of political science at Carleton College, talks about the Minnesota stature in U.S. politics history, especially in the 1960s…with the likes of Walter Mondale, Eugene McCarthy, and Hubert H. Humphrey.
December 23, 1994 - A Midday Christmas music special with studio guest Rick Shefchik of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Shefchik presents a selection of the newest songs and performers, new versions of old favorites, and the Christmas classics.