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.
November 24, 2004 - Voices of Minnesota pays a visit to two prominent Catholic leaders in the state: Father Larry Snyder, the new head of Catholic Charities USA, and Sister Andrea Lee, president of College of St. Catherine in St. Paul.
November 23, 2004 - The federal government weighs in this week on the environmental and economic impact posed by two proposals to deal with congestion along the Twin Cities' Central Corridor. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has appointed a panel to make a recommendation soon on whether the 11-mile stretch of University Avenue connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul should get a bus rapid transit lane or a light rail line. With a million more people expected in the metro area over the next 25 years, what's the best long-term solution? Peter Bell, chair of the Metropolitan Council joins to discuss.
November 22, 2004 - Renowned Minnesotan science writer William Souder is out with a new book on a man who made important contributions, not only to the world of ornithology, but also the world of art: John James Audubon. In "Under a Wild Sky," Souder paints the picture of a deeply complex and conflicted Audubon, who failed at a number of endeavors before stumbling upon the career that made him famous.Guests: William Souder's previous book was called "A Plague of Frogs."
November 19, 2004 - From golfing in the arctic circle to 22-day roller coaster marathons, acclaimed sportswriter Steve Rushin is out with a new book on extreme recreation. "The Caddie was a Reindeer" is a compilation of Rushin's tender odes to his old favorites like basketball and hockey, as well as off-the-wall explorations of off-the-map sports. What drives a person to go zipping through the mountains of Germany at 180 miles per hour, anyway?Guests: Steve Rushin writes the popular "Air and Space" column in Sports Illustrated. Minnesota native.
November 16, 2004 - Elmer Andersen was only Minnesota's governor for two years, but his impact on the state went far beyond his single term as chief executive. Andersen served nine years in the state senate, led his company, H.B. Fuller, into the Fortune 500, chaired the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents, published newspapers, authored books, and was remembered by friend and Minnesota Historical Society Director Nina Archabal as "the ultimate Minnesotan." Other guests on the program include, Lori Sturdevant,Star Tribune Editorial Writer and Columnist who edited Gov. Elmer Andersen's memoir, "A Man's Reach," and other friends and admirers of the late governor.
November 16, 2004 - Former Gov. Elmer Andersen, who served Minnesota in so many ways throughout his 95 years, finally left the state forever on Monday night. We hear excerpts from a 2000 interview with Andersen and the editor of his memoir, the Star Tribune's Lori Sturdevant, plus a 2001 speech Andersen delivered to the Minnesota State Senate.
November 11, 2004 - Much has been said of the people who fought in the battles of World War II, but what about all the ones who participated in the stateside war effort? A new book examines the history of the Minnesota home front during what former Sen. Eugene McCarthy called "the last of the 'happy' wars."Guests: Dave Kenney is the author of several books on Minnesota history. His latest is "Minnesota Goes to War: The Home Front during World War II."
November 11, 2004 - In honor of Veterans Day, we remember the Minnesotans who took part in World War II and the lesser-known stories of those who stayed behind and worked on the home front.Guests: Dave Kenney is author of "Minnesota Goes to War: The Home Front during World War II."
October 21, 2004 - In his 1996 book, "Breaking the News: How the Media Undermine American Democracy," the journalist and commentator James Fallows wrote that the media had become "irresponsible with its power. The damage has spread to the public life Americans all share. The damage can be corrected, but not until journalism comes to terms with what it has lost." Eight years later, in the midst of another presidential election, the question is: has that happened? Fallows gives his answer live at the Westminster Town Hall Forum in Minneapolis.
October 19, 2004 - Maureen Shaver, Republican activist and former capitol lobbyist, and Amy Klobuchar, Democrat and Hennepin County Attorney, discuss upcoming Minnesota and national 2004 elections. Shaver and Klobuchar also answer listener questions.