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.
March 31, 1994 - On this Midday program, the topic today is prisons. Guests Connie Roehrich, the warden of the Shakopee Correction Facility for Women; and Frank Wood, the state's corrections commissioner talk about Minnesota prison system. Roehrich and Wood also answer listener questions.
March 31, 1994 - Pat Forciea, communications communications consultant for the University of Minnesota Athetic Department, discusses Doug Woog’s college men’s hockey team being completely made up of Minnesotans.
March 29, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Doug Johnson, Minnesota state senator, about bill that would use state income tax to pay for universal health coverage. Johnson is the senator sponsor of the plan.
March 28, 1994 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger about health care reform push in Congress and on Whitewater controversary.
March 23, 1994 - Ben Whitney, co-chair of Minnesotans for Term Limits; and Joan Higinbotham, executive director of Common Cause, discuss the debate of term limits. Whitney and Higinbothom also answer listener questions.
March 22, 1994 - Midday focuses on how public policy effects the use of alcohol. Allan Spear, Minnesota state senator; and George Hacker, director of the Alcohol Policies Project of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, discuss legislation (both state and national) intended to stop alcohol abuse. Spear and Hacker also answer listener questions.
March 15, 1994 - On this Midday, a look at programs for overcoming alcohol abuse. Patricia Owen, clinical psychologist at Hazelden, Robert Muscala; chemical dependency counselor with Chemical Health Concept; and Pat Harrison of the Minnesota State Department of Human Services, discuss the various types of chemical treatment options available in Minnesota for alcoholics.
March 14, 1994 - Jim Simler, chair of the economics department at Macalester College, discusses the debate on raising state minimum wage and related issues. Simler also answers listener questions.
March 10, 1994 - Dan Salamone, executive director of Minnesota Taxpayers Association, shares his viewpoint on state and city property taxes and the need for tax reform.
March 10, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with hockey legend Lou Nanne about the state of hockey in the “State of Hockey.” Nanne says that other states have gotten better at producing players that excel, leading to fewer young Minnesotan athletes on collegiate and professional ice.