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.
October 10, 1994 - Republican Rod Grams, who is running against DFL Anny Wynia for the vacated Minnesota U.S. senate seat, discusses political issues of the campaign. Legislative topics include crime bill (assault weapons), science investment, and campaign reform. Grams also answers listener questions.
October 6, 1994 - Eli Coleman, director of program on Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota, discusses results of research study, which includes insight that measuring behavior is not the only piece in defining sexual health. Topics of married couples and sexual preference are discussed.
October 6, 1994 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone about the failure in U.S. Senate to pass Lobby Reform Bill. Wellstone is a key member in the proposal.
October 4, 1994 - Father Michael O'Connell, of the Basilica of Saint Mary and the Church of the Ascension in North Minneapolis, explains the purpose and act of animal blessing.
September 29, 1994 - Marna Canterbury, a nutrition advisor at Health Partners, discusses a project that promotes various healthy alternatives. The project sponsors a challenge to local restaurants in offering health focused dishes.
September 29, 1994 - Eugene McCarthy, former Minnesota Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate, discusses politics, philosophy, baseball, amongst other topics. McCarthy also answers listener questions. During program, McCarthy shares personal recollections and recites one of his poems, written about Lyndon Johnson.
September 28, 1994 - Local activist, scholar, and professor Mahmoud El-Kati shares his thoughts on topic of multiculturalism in the United States. El-Kati strongly disagrees with the view from academic Arthur Schlesinger Jr. that multiculturalism is damaging unity in U.S. society.
September 28, 1994 - Midday presents historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former special assistant to President John F. Kennedy, speaking at Macalester College on the polarization caused by an emphasis on multiculturalism.
September 27, 1994 - Linda Lee Berglin, Minnesota state senator, discusses the status of MinnesotaCare, what it offers the public in health care coverage, and ongoing debate at the State Capitol.
September 27, 1994 - Rowena Hicks, crime prevention specialist at Minneapolis Police Department, discusses Minneapolis incident where a man was killed and wife beaten after their car was blocked by juveniles. Hicks details ways to prevent potential car-jacking.