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 22, 2011 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Midday host Gary Eichten about his announcement of retiring in January of 2012. Crann asks what stands out for Eichten over the decades long career at Minnesota Public Radio.
August 16, 2011 - As State Senator Linda Berglin steps after a 39-year career in the Minnesota House and Senate, she stops by the Midday studio to reflect on her career and on Minnesota's health care system. Berglin’s legislative specialty was health care, and she moves to a new public policy job at Hennepin County.
August 4, 2011 - Lisa See, author of "Shanghai Girls" and "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," discusses her writing and the influence of her Chinese American heritage at the Hennepin Country Central Library in downtown Minneapolis as part of the Talk of the Stacks series.
June 27, 2011 - On this Midday program, MPR President and APMG CEO Bill Kling answers your questions one last time as part of the Ask the President series. After 45 plus years, Bill Kling is moving on.
June 9, 2011 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Program topic is Iraq troop withdrawals, role of Red Bulls, and war in Afghanistan. Walz also answers listener questions.
June 7, 2011 - Can we end hunger in Minnesota? Hunger-Free Minnesota launches a three-year effort to provide 100 million more meals a year for hungry adults and children in Minnesota. How can an initiative like this work? What's needed to make it successful? Guests Rob Zeaske and Robbin Johnson discuss project.
May 17, 2011 - Midday presents a special hour remembering Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, who died of esophageal cancer at the age of 74. Program includes a profile, interviews, and call-in comments from listeners.
May 11, 2011 - A Prairie Home Companion host and author Garrison Keillor speaks at the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries dinner about writing, performing, and how libraries are a refuge from the outside world.
April 21, 2011 - Midday presents internationally renowned scholar Marcus Borg speaking at Westminster Town Hall Forum. Borg’s topic is reclaiming the language of Christianity.
April 21, 2011 - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman joins Midday to answer questions about city schools, jobs, parks, transportation, the Central Corridor LRT, development, and taxes. Coleman also answers listener questions.