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.
January 29, 1991 - U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the need for a national energy policy. Durenberger also comments on environmental concerns over Bush administration energy producing positions.
January 9, 1991 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone about the prospects of war in the Persian Gulf. Wellstone comments on his take of how Congress will act with Bush Administration’s push for military action.
January 7, 1991 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on announcement by Governor Arne Carlson on appointment of John Riley as MnDot commissioner. Mulcahy provides audio clips of Riley speaking at press conference.
January 7, 1991 - Former Minnesota Twins owner Calvin Griffith reflects on Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, and life. Griffith also comments on who he thinks should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
December 31, 1990 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten interviews U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger about the discussion of war in the Persian Gulf. Durenberger see the possibility of talking before war commences.
December 20, 1990 - Walter Mondale reflects on Karl Fritjof Rolvaag, Minnesota’s 31st governor of Minnesota, with MPR’s Gary Eichten. Rolvaag passed away on December 20, 1990.
December 10, 1990 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Minneapolis Police Chief Tony Bouza about the current state of racial tension between Black community and police, his lack of confidence in success of Civilian Police Review Authority (CRA), and the belief in civil service.
December 7, 1990 - Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, expresses her thoughts on recent shooting tragedies in Minneapolis. One, the shooting of 17-year-old Tycel Nelson by Minneapolis police; and two, multiple gang shootings of youth in the city.
November 28, 1990 - Minnesota Governor Al Quie talks about the state budget woes and how that impacted his 1990 election gubernatorial loss.
November 13, 1990 - Norman Ornstein talks with MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten about his thoughts on what is to come as newly-elected Senator Paul Wellstone heads to Washington D.C.