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.
September 28, 1984 - MPR’s Gary Eichten provides commentary on the 1984 Minnesota Twins baseball season. While no pennant…the team has a new owner, Kirby Puckett on the roster, and gave fans a season of plucky play.
September 24, 1984 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews historian Hy Berman about the idea of labor museum in Minnesota. Berman explains that the state is a excellent representation of the varied evolution of labor movement in the United States.
July 26, 1984 - Twin Cities film critic Phil Anderson shares his review of the film Purple Rain, which was made by famous local musician Prince. Anderson describes it as a musical story of characters.
April 25, 1984 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Tom Mee, media relations director for the Minnesota Twins, about bulk ticket sales buy-out, status of Minnesota Twins as an organization, owner Calvin Griffith’s possible sale of team, and public interest in team.
February 16, 1984 - Allan Spear, Minnesota DFL state senator, shares his thoughts on the state’s sentencing guidelines system. Spear says he sees the sentencing guidelines as complex, but just.
November 28, 1983 - With the high below freezing outside the MPR studios in St. Paul, All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten calls for a daily weather forecast in Honolulu, Hawaii.
September 8, 1983 - Merrill Swanson, public relations director for the Minnesota Vikings, discusses Krazy George Henderson, who has been hired as a “cheerleader” of sorts. It’s a far cry from a few years earlier, when Henderson was seen as a disruption in the stands by the team.
December 28, 1982 - Daryl Sherman, of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, updates travel conditions across the state after winter storm.
December 28, 1982 - MPR’s Pat Kessler reports on the literal stand still in place for much of the Twin Cities after large snowstorm. Kessler details abandoned cars, shut businesses, no school, a sag to Metrdome roof, and airport closure.
August 17, 1982 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Jeanne Coyne, an attorney from Edina, who has been named to the Minnesota Supreme Court by Governor Al Quie.