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 9, 1989 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with Nils Hasselmo, University of Minnesota president, about sports money scandal on the campus and future athletics at the university. Hasselmo also comments on concerns over exploitation of Black athletes.
November 7, 1989 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews George Latimer, out-going mayor of St. Paul. Latimer talks about the mixed emotions of leaving political seat he has held for over a decade, but says he looks forward to his new role as dean of Hamline University's law school.
November 3, 1989 - Wayne Simoneau, Minnesota House representative for District 51B, blasts University of Minnesota's golden parachutes.
November 2, 1989 - Bill Frenzel, U.S. representative for the Minnesota’s 3rd District, explains what he sees as cowardice in Washington, D.C. when it comes to addressing deficit.
October 31, 1989 - Robert Carothers, chancellor of the Minnesota State University System, comments that state university enrollment is booming. He shares his concerns on finding schools best suited for a student with MPR’s Gary Eichten.
October 30, 1989 - George Hite, of Target Corporation, details the goodies of the Halloween season, from candy to costumes. Batman seems to be the winner in regards to consumer interest.
October 25, 1989 - MPR’s Gray Eichten interviews a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fire expert on grass fire dangers found in the region due to drought conditions.
October 23, 1989 - Deb Brown, horticulturist with the University of Minnesota, talks with MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten about the environmental benefits to utilizing fallen leaves rather than bagging and throwing away.
October 19, 1989 - Laura Oatman, public health engineer at the Minnesota Health Department, talks radon with MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten. Oatman details the serious danger of the naturally occurring gas.
October 18, 1989 - Ed Boggess, member of Department of Natural Resources, discusses raccoon explosion in the Twin Cities. Boggess provides insights on the animal and recommendations on countering their push into urban environment.