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 23, 1986 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten interviews Paul Karas, an airline industry analyst, about Northwest Airlines acquiring Republic Airways. The deal would make Northwest the third largest airline.
January 20, 1986 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten gets multiple reports on the status of Hormel strike situation in Austin. Striking meatpackers have amassed at gates of Hormel plant in order to disrupt. The company and city have requested the National Guard.
September 24, 1985 - MPR Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Tuesday, September 24th, 1985.
April 29, 1985 - MPR Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Monday, April 29th, 1985. This was the first broadcast as MPR Journal, with Minnesota Journal program series being renamed.
March 5, 1985 - Minnesota Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of day/evening reports and news items for Monday, March 5, 1985.
January 7, 1985 - Minnesota Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Monday, January 7, 1985.
December 27, 1984 - MPR’s Gary Eichten profiles the local bar band Willie and the Bees as the band prepares to call it quits. Segment presents an interview with band founder Willie Murphy about the band and their sound.
November 12, 1984 - MPR’s Gary Eichten gets music critic Jon Bream’s take on the music phenomenon of Prince and the genius of his artistry.
November 5, 1984 - Minnesota Journal host Gary Eichten presents a collection of reports and news items for Monday, November 5th, 1984. This was the first broadcast of the Minnesota Journal program series.
November 2, 1984 - After 11 years of being on the air, host Gary Eichten bids a sincere and fond farewell to Minnesota Public Radio’s original All Things Considered program, which originally ended in late 1984.