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.
November 22, 1993 - Joseph Peschek, associate of political science at Hamline University and scholar on the American presidency, discusses John F. Kennedy's presidency on the 30th anniversary of JFK’s death.
November 18, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Bill Frenzel, former Minnesota U.S. congressman, who played a key role in the successful efforts in getting NAFTA bill passed through Congress.
November 11, 1993 - William H. Hull, author of “All Hell Broke Loose: Experiences of Young People During the Armistice Day 1940 Blizzard,” talks about the stories he complied of the surprise storm that struck Minnesota on November 11, 1940. He also imparts the necessity to be aware of the speed of weather changes.
November 3, 1993 - Midday presents the first joint appearance of both mayors-elect of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Sharon Sayles Belton and Norm Coleman talk with MPR’s Gary Eichten and answer listener questions.
November 2, 1993 - Former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer joins MPR via satellite from Washington, D.C., where he is a consultant to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to talk about the future of United States cities.
November 2, 1993 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker comments on Minnesota Twin’s loss of catcher Brian Harper to free agency, finances, and future of team.
October 28, 1993 - Hy Berman, history professor of University of Minnesota, provides a quick summary of the political, social and economic historical differences between South Minneapolis and North Side.
October 28, 1993 - A Midday broadcast of KTCA-TV Forum, featuring St. Paul mayoral candidates Norm Coleman and Andy Dawkins. The two discuss political issues and their individual campaigns.
October 22, 1993 - Midday offers interviews with Twin Cities mayoral candidates. In this segment, John Derus, Hennepin County commissioner, talks about what he would do as mayor of Minneapolis. He counters negative commentary about him, providing a self-description as a pragmatic Democrat.
October 22, 1993 - Midday presents an MPR documentary entitled Far From the Mountains, which follows the story of one of the 1,000 Tibetans resettling in the United States in the early 1990s.