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 5, 2007 - All Things Considered special bridge coverage and updates
August 4, 2007 - A Saturday special from 4:00 to 5:00pm. Bridge collapsed Wednesday 8/1/07 just after 6 p.m.
July 4, 2007 - While the issue of immigration spurs heated debate across the country, the stories of how and why people choose the United States as their home lay the foundation of America. On this Independence Day, Midday invites immigrants Zainab Hassan, Roberto Fonts, and Kaiser Haque to share their reasons for wanting to become Americans.
June 19, 2007 - Two Minnesotans who boarded buses for civil rights in the 1960's tell their stories. Forty-six years ago, seven white Minnesotans became part of civil rights history. The Freedom Riders rode buses through the deep South and pressured states to comply with a Supreme Court desegregation ruling. Voices of Minnesota profiles two of them: Marv Davidov and Claire O'Connor.
June 14, 2007 - A tour of the delights and the disappointments of the Twin Cities' architectural landscape.
June 8, 2007 - A memorial to the Minnesotans who served in World War II gets its official dedication ceremony at the Capitol Saturday. Midday takes a look at what life was for those Minnesotans -- both in the military and on the home front.
June 8, 2007 - A memorial to the Minnesotans who served in World War II gets its official dedication ceremony at the Capitol Saturday. Midday takes a look at what life was for those Minnesotans -- both in the military and on the home front.
June 4, 2007 - Governor Tim Pawlenty analyzes the 2007 Minnesota legislative session with Midday’s Gary Eichten. Pawlenty faced large DFL majorities in both houses of the Legislature this session, but with the help of his veto pen and a united Republican caucus, he held his ground on a number of fronts, including blocking several tax increases.
May 30, 2007 - Nick Mancini, founder of St. Paul institution Mancini's Char House and Vegas Lounge, passed away at the age of 80. Over the years, his steaks and hospitality would make the restaurant a popular destination for politicians, athletes, and many loyal customers…one of whom is MPR's own Gary Eichten, who remembers how Mancini had a knack for keeping his customers happy.
May 18, 2007 - Two Minnesotans touched by World War II; two strikingly different stories. For Frank Ario, World War II was a scene of death and destruction. He fought through and survived the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war's major campaigns. For Rita Stallman, who joined the Signal Corps in Washington, it was an opportunity to broaden her horizons and experience life.