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.
August 19, 1993 - Suzanna Sherry, an American legal scholar, details the Ian Lundman verdict, in which father of Ian Lundman prevailed. The 11-year-old, a diabetic, died when his Christian Scientist mother and stepfather tried to treat his illness with prayer instead of insulin.
August 16, 1993 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone talks about his concerns over the ongoing congressional battle on the different approaches over national health reform/mandate. Wellstone details the single-payer plan, which he prefers.
August 5, 1993 - Irwin Jacobs, a producer of large private boats, describes the negative impact luxury tax had on boat market. Even with luxury tax repeal, Jacobs feels the damage to many in industry has been irreversible.
August 5, 1993 - On this Midday program, Walt Dziedzic and Judith Martin discuss the city of Minneapolis…it's past, present, and future. Topics include changes over the decades, including downtown business, diversity, transportation system, safety, schools, municipal finances, police, and tourism.
August 3, 1993 - Accountant Tom Sherman makes comments on his concerns over increased tax brackets impacting higher income earners. Sherman sees a potential threat to stable economy.
August 2, 1993 - Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser shares his view on welfare reform. While he supports welfare program to protect children and their health, he questions the logic of of providing welfare to single mothers as well. Fraser fears that it just fosters a cycle of poverty.
July 26, 1993 - Bioethics researcher Arthur Caplan shares his insights into the imbalance of drug testing being done with focus on male subjects and diseases.
July 19, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks baseball with Mike Veeck, owner of the new Northern League baseball team, St. Paul Saints. The two discuss the Northern League, promoting, and players.
July 13, 1993 - University of Minnesota President Nils Hasselmo is studio guest for a call-in program about major issues facing the University, including the on-going debate over the University Medical School, the University's plan for a controversial new heating plant on the Mississippi, and the decision to expand the Crookston campus into a four year institution.
July 9, 1993 - Richard Kagan, director of East Asian Studies at Hamline University, discusses political issues of the region. Kagan talks on the changes the Clinton Administration has made in Asian international policy from the previous Bush administration. Kagan also answers listener questions.