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 14, 1994 - DFLer John Marty, a Minnesota state senator, talks of his push at Capitol to institute ban on gifts to public officials from lobbyists.
February 11, 1994 - Mark Dayton, Minnesota state auditor, wants a special commission to look into holding radioactive waste at Northern States Power Company’s Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant.
February 10, 1994 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on Hennepin County Board of Commissioners holding a hearing at Hennepin County Medical Center regarding abortion training by medical residents at the hospital.
February 10, 1994 - Dan Dreyfus, director of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program, is asked about federal government finding a permanent site for radioactive waste from the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant.
February 9, 1994 - Timothy Wirth, undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, discusses world population and sustainable development. Wirth also answers listener questions.
February 7, 1994 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone shares his view that NATO and the West need to act on the Bosnia conflict in order to end atrocities and violence against civilians.
February 4, 1994 - Local sports commentator talks about the possible options for Carl Pohlad in a sale of the Minnesota Twins baseball organization.
February 2, 1994 - Minneapolis Police Chief John Laux talks about Mayor Sayles Belton’s directive to police department in coming up with plan on addressing juvenile delinquents, enforcing a youth curfew, and reorganizing the Department of Juvenile Division.
January 13, 1994 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone discusses his support for The Partnership for Peace, a program by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that aims to increase stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region.
January 13, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Doug Swingley moments after he won 1994 John Beargrease Dog Sled Race along Minnesota's North Shore. Swingley talks about his dog team and the race.