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.
July 3, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Euan Jones, a resident of Waterville, Minnesota, about the vandalism and destruction of a beloved 250-year-old oak tree, known as the “Yum Yum Tree.”
July 1, 1991 - Pat Conley, member of Association of Minnesota Counties, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about her concerns over sales tax push over other sources of tax funding.
June 27, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten gets the inside scoop from Kevin Strong, a baseball player from Minneapolis who finds himself as a rookie for the Minnesota Twins minor league affiliate Elizabethton Twins.
June 26, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Father Frankie Perkovich, the fourth person to be named into the Polka Hall of Fame. Father Perkovich is known for performing and promoting the Polka Mass.
June 21, 1991 - With Grandma’s Marathon on the calendar, MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with individual from Duluth on the greater tourist season in the city.
June 17, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Arthur Kaplan, professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Surgery at University of Minnesota, about the ethics behind when a doctor who is HIV positive should disclose to patients.
June 14, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher about St. Paul’s newly instituted curfew for minors. Fletcher details the sanctions.
June 12, 1991 - Howard Sinker provides cautious positive commentary on the the good play of the Minnesota Twins in the early part of 1991 MLB season.
June 12, 1991 - Professor William Rogers, member of a local Anti-Mosquito Association, shares his view that the little bugs should be eradicated from the Twin Cities.
June 10, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone about New York parade celebration of returning military from the Persian Gulf War. Wellstone says he hopes that it is a respect for military serviceman, and not also an attempt by Bush administration on glorification of militarism.