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 7, 1988 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with Doris, a member of Ely’s centennial committee, about the city preparations for a special visitor during its 100 year celebration. A. Courtland Ely III, great-grandson of Ely's namesake, will be first time an “Ely” has visited the town.
May 19, 1988 - With the suicide death of Roger Caldwell, MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten takes a look back at the 1977 murders of Duluth heiress Elisabeth Congdon and her nurse. Caldwell plead guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to time served, or five years. Despite this, Caldwell repeatedly claimed innocence, including in a suicide note.
October 26, 1987 - MPR’s Jim Bickal puts together an audio montage of the Minnesota Twins’ run through the 1987 Major League Baseball postseason, ultimately winning the MLB World Series for the first time in team’s history.
October 21, 1987 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews David Broder, journalist for The Washington Post. Broder laments the existence of Minnesota’s sports dome, and its detrimental effect on baseball.
October 12, 1987 - MPR Journal host Gary Eichten talks with MPR’s Jim Bickal from the locker room of the American League Champion Minnesota Twins. There is a lot of celebration on winning American League pennant…and champagne.
May 27, 1987 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Lou Bellamy, artistic director of The Penumbra Theatre, about August Wilson receiving a Pulitzer Prize Award.
January 18, 1987 - MPR’s Gary Eichten recounts an early MPR memory which he thinks may have influenced his…and other’s trajectory. It involves classical records and a less than stellar joke.
January 18, 1987 - As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Minnesota Public Radio, MPR’s Gary Eichten takes a stroll through MPR News history with reflections and clips of what the first 20 years of the organization sounded like.
November 26, 1986 - General John Vessey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shares his views on investigation of the Iran Arms-Contra deal. He also comments on the media and concerns of blowing situation out of proportion.
November 24, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that interim Minnesota Twins Manager Tom Kelly has been named permanent manager. Announcement also included two new managerial positions in organization.