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.
December 10, 1993 - A member of the League of Women Voters (LWV) states her stance against term limits. She sees it as taking choice out the voters hands.
December 10, 1993 - DFLer Keith Langseth, Minnesota state senator representing the 9th District, shares his views that a raising gas tax is needed to for investment into state’s transportation system.
December 10, 1993 - Midday guest Peter Hutchinson, new superintendent of the Minneapolis Public School District, discusses what lies ahead for district, with student achievement being the first priority. Hutchinson also takes listener questions.
December 9, 1993 - Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the center for biomedical ethics at the University of Minnesota, talks about the topic of physician-assisted suicide and answers listener questions.
December 7, 1993 - Tom Heffelfinger, a former U.S. attorney, explains the possible decisions of U.S. Justice Department in pursuing a fraud investigation into U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger.
December 2, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten gets updates from MPR reporters Martin Kaste and Mark Zdechlik regrading plane crash outside of Hibbing, Minnesota.
December 1, 1993 - Martin Sampson, political science professor at University of Minnesota, comments on the political situation in Israeli-Palestinian conflict and any potential peace process.
November 26, 1993 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone reflects on the political efforts and accomplishments of 1993. Topics include voter registration, campaign reform, earned income credit, crime bill, amongst others. Wellstone also comments on his concern on the economy and conflict in Yugoslavia.
November 25, 1993 - Larry Buboltz, mayor of Detroit Lakes, is interviewed about life after turkey plant in the city closed. Buboltz details the employment and local economic progress after the large employer shuttered.
November 23, 1993 - Minnesota's Attorney General Hubert "Skip" Humphrey III answers listeners' questions about a federal crime bill making its way through Congress as well as various state proposals to combat crime.