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.
August 27, 1975 - Columnist and author Jim Klobuchar discusses local professional sports teams, specifically the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, as well as the benefits of a new stadium.
August 26, 1975 - Columnist and author Jim Klobuchar comments on Hubert Humphrey's "bleeding heart politics" and how it affected the national picture of American politics.
August 25, 1975 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews columnist and author Jim Klobuchar, who reflects on immigrants to the Iron Range and how they made their living.
August 25, 1975 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews columnist and author Jim Klobuchar, who discusses diversity, immigration, and racism in Minnesota.
February 4, 1975 - MPR host Gary Eichten talks with MPR reporter Kevin McKiernan about the end of occupation with Gresham abbey occupiers taken to jail by local authorities. 39 people were booked at the jail and charged with criminal trespassing to a dwelling, which is a misdemeanor, however some may be charged with felonies. Immunity from prosecution was not part of the agreement that the Native group reached with Alexian Brothers.
November 29, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on how layoffs are bringing about charges of sexual and racial discrimination. Civil rights group explain that laying off employees with least seniority mean laying of minorities and women.
November 11, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents news items of an untraditional Veteran's Day celebration address by St. Paul Mayor Larry Cohen, comments from Reverend Russell Krambeck, and a protest demonstration in Twin Cities.
November 11, 1974 - A member of group supporting POWs states that 55 military and 5 civilians POWs were in a camp. The U.S. received 23 bodies in March of 1974, but, group pushes to receive the rest of the bodies.
November 11, 1974 - In interview, a member of group supporting POWs comments on 1300 missing men in Vietnam, that there are still men MIA from the Korean war, and probably still men missing from WWII. Interviewee says group knows that they couldn't possibly find all the men, but states in this situation, there are at least 80 men that group has photos of who were held by the communists and that the U.S. government should do something about it.
November 11, 1974 - A member of group supporting POWs states since January 1973, when the cease-fire was put into effect, they've been told time and time again that the government would do everything possible to account for everyone…but, nothing has been done. The U.S. government has only searched 5% of the crash sites, mainly because U.S. is not allowed into the areas. Interviewee says world leaders have to get behind efforts of group so that together they can pressure the North Vietnamese for some accounting on the signed agreement to have the POWs and American bodies returned.