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 25, 1974 - Rodney Loper, president of Clean Air Clean Water Group, shares his reluctance to be part of advisory board to a firm regarding copper-nickel mining. Loper is hopeful that adequately funded state agencies are best suited to address the environmental issues.
June 6, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with architect Jim Wengler about the preservation of the Grand Avenue neighborhood and about the Grand Old Days celebration. Grand Avenue represents what some consider a solution to energy and problems by renovating existing urban areas rather than building out the suburbs. Wengler discusses the positive and negative aspects of the neighborhood, including the impact of putting in Interstate 35E.
May 24, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on a Minnesota Supreme Court case decision involving Lawrence International Salon. The ruling states that women hairstylists can now cut men's hair (as opposed to men going to barbers only).
May 22, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Robert Provost, board member of the Minnesota Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, about programs available to parents in assisting their child.
April 26, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Minnesota Sierra Club's Bob Wagner and Bill Cunningham about the New Earth Revival, an exposition on environmental preservation and reducing consumerism. Wagner and Cunningham provide details on activities at event and the general philosophy behind efforts to lessen consumption.
April 18, 1974 - Patricia Tollefson, president of Minnesotans against Equal Rights Amendment, comments on her opposition to the Minnesota State Board of Education Sex Task Force recommendations on sex discrimination in schools.
April 3, 1974 - Questions have arisen as to whether Minnesota’s new abortion law is unconstitutional. MPR’s Dulcie Lawrence gets comments from several legislators on their thought process in voting for or against the bill, including William Kelly, of E. Grand Forks; William Ojala of Aurora; and Arne Carlson of Minneapolis.
March 11, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents an interview with Chuck and Donna Thibodeau, operators of Divorce Education Association. The local organization is one of several that focuses on divorce reform.
March 8, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Maceo Dixon, national campaign coordinator for the Socialist Workers Party. Dixon discusses the party’s suit to cease and desist against the U.S. government on harassment claims.
March 5, 1974 - Roy Aune, deputy director of State Civil Defense, talks about possible enemy attack and general emergency preparedness. Aune summarizes how Twin Cities would react to an attack and evacuation procedure….not as an ordered evacuation, but more along the lines of voluntary actions if international tensions build up, with an intense public information program for risk areas.