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 25, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Rod Sando, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources commissioner, about Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians v. Minnesota court case.
April 21, 1994 - Gaylord Nelson, former U.S. senator and founder of Earth Day, speaking at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis. Nelson’s address was on the topic of continued dangers of environmental self-destruction.
April 18, 1994 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone about the options available to the U.S. as Goražde, a U.N. designated safe haven, has been taken over by Bosnian Serb military.
April 18, 1994 - Minnesota State Senator Dick Cohen talks about reality of finding arts education funding at the Capitol amidst a tight state budget.
April 14, 1994 - On the birthday of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Minnesota politician Eugene McCarthy about the history of the DFL in the state.
April 14, 1994 - With the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party, Midday guests Betty Wilson and John Haynes share the history of the DFL party. They detail how the two separate political organizations came together in the state.
April 8, 1994 - U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks at Minnesota Nurses Association rally at the IDS crystal court in downtown Minneapolis for an address about health care reform. MPR’s Dan Olson reports from rally.
April 6, 1994 - Bill Dean, chair of Minnesotans for Light Rail Transit (LRT); and Lyle Wray, executive director of the Citizens League, express their views and answer listener questions about light rail transit in the Twin Cities.
April 4, 1994 - Andy MacPhail, general manager of the Minnesota Twins, comments on what is needed for the 1994 Twins season to be successful.
April 1, 1994 - A Midday interview with Esther Wattenberg on negative income tax and children in poverty, as political debate over welfare reform increases.