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 1, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter reports on deteriorating road conditions from massive snowfall in Twin Cities, with officials asking people not to drive, and MTC planning on stopping bus service at 8PM due to bad road conditions. In one instance, 15 buses were stuck along Lake Calhoun routes.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Catherine Winter about bad driving conditions in the Twin Cities due to blowing snow. Segment includes interview with MTC spokesman about closing down bus system at 8PM.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Rich Naistat of the National Weather Service on record-setting snowfall from Halloween blizzard. Segment also includes numerous reports on the impact of storm throughout Minnesota, including shutdown of bus service, parking restrictions, road conditions, travel restrictions, power outages, and high winds.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter provides another updated report on weather and road conditions as winter storm moves into the region.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter provides updated report on weather conditions and deteriorating road conditions as a large storm moves into the region.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter describes the start of deteriorating road conditions as a large storm moves into the region. Winter interviews members of Department of Transportation about slippery roads and slow traffic.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Jim Richardson, forecaster from National Weather Service, on a developing snowstorm hitting much of the state. Richardson forecasts the Twin Cities could see as much as 6-8 inches…maybe even a foot of snow. It was a slight under-forecast. Twin Cities ended up with 28.4 inches.
October 29, 1991 - MPR Special Coverage on the Minnesota Twins celebration rally at the Hubert H. Metrodome. Gary Eichten, Howard Sinker, and Bill Wareham give a ‘play by play’ of the event. Program includes numerous interviews and speeches.
October 29, 1991 - Midday’s Bob Potter hosts MPR Special Coverage of Twins victory celebrations. Program includes reports on parade sites in St. Paul and Minneapolis and preparation of Minneapolis celebration event at Metrodome. Potter also talks with Gary Eichten and Howard Sinker, who are awaiting start of celebration event at Metrodome, about the series and answer listener questions.
October 29, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder hosts MPR Special Coverage of Twins victory parade. Program includes reports from start of parade in downtown St. Paul and preparation of Minneapolis parade and celebration event at Metrodome.