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.
September 15, 1993 - An interview with Doug Johnson, Minnesota state senator and chair of State Tax Committee, about Governor Arne Carlson’s economic tax strategy and tax reform. Johnson is a DFLer representing the 6th District.
September 13, 1993 - Martin Sampson, political science professor at University of Minnesota, discusses the prospects for peace in the Middle East and answers listener questions. Topics include the signed agreement between Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Yasser Arafat.
September 3, 1993 - Dr. Frank Rhame, an infectious disease physician and member of University of Minnesota, comments on U.S. National Commission on AIDS and reflects what results came from it as the commissions comes to an end.
September 2, 1993 - Pat McGowan, a Minneapolis Police Department sergeant, shares his views on crime in the city of Minneapolis and what police and community efforts should be taken.
September 2, 1993 - Irv Anderson, new speaker designate of the Minnesota House, discusses the future course of the DFL-controlled Minnesota legislature. Anderson also answers listener questions.
September 1, 1993 - A Midday program from the Minnesota State Fair, with political commentators Bob Meek and Tom Horner talking about the upcoming mayoral primaries, the new speaker designate of the Minnesota House, and pending debate on health care, and NAFTA.
August 27, 1993 - Lester Collins, member of Council of Black Minnesotans, comments on Martin Luther King commemoration march. The event is titled "Jobs, Justice and Peace,” and held on the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington.
August 26, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten hosts U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone live from the Minnesota State Fair. Wellstone answers audience and listener questions on health care, the economy, NAFTA, etc.
August 25, 1993 - Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser visits the MPR studios to answer questions about his welfare reform proposal. Fraser says unmarried women should not automatically be eligible for welfare just because they have a child. The suggestion has touched off a spirited debate over welfare reform and the family.
August 24, 1993 - Generation X author Michael Lee Cohen, stops by the MPR studios to discuss his book, The Twentysomething American Dream. Cohen discusses what he learned from his cross country tour interviewing members of the much maligned post-baby boom generation.