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.
February 28, 2001 - Music producer T. Bone Burnett joins Gary Eichten from Los Angeles to talk about his latest movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and his life in the music world. On the program, T. Bone mentioned three artists to check out if you like the soundtrack from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" They are Elizabeth Cotton, Skip James, and Washington Phillips.
February 28, 2001 - Minnesota Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum and DFL Senate Assistant Majority Leader John Hottinger talk about their priorities, in light of new state revenue forecast. Program contains pledge drive segments.
February 16, 2001 - Texas author and radio commentator Jim Hightower discusses his new book, If the Gods Had Meant Us To Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates.
January 31, 2001 - Author Margaret Atwood, speaking recently as part of the Pen Pals Lecture Series sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. Her latest book is The Blind Assassin.
January 31, 2001 - Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz joins Midday’s Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to talk about the state of the judicial system in Minnesota. Focus of conversation is on how state court system is overwhelmed handling two million cases a year and the need for more funding. Justice Blatz also answers listener call-in questions.
January 30, 2001 - A new American Radioworks documentary, Prison Diaries.
January 18, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone about his decision to run for re-election and the political environment. Wellstone also answers listener questions.
January 17, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura remarks at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum called "Moving Minnesota: How Is Tri-partisan Government Working?" Other remarks from House Republican Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty and Senate DFL Majority Leader Roger Moe.
January 17, 2001 - Jim Kaat, former Twins broadcaster, and Howard Sinker, MPR sports analyst, discuss Baseball Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett. Program also features Kirby’s retirement statement, reports on his election to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and call-in commentary from listeners.
January 11, 2001 - Amy Tan