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.
December 28, 2000 - A Voices of Minnesota, part 1 features Ray Christianson, a radio announcer and Voice of Golden Gopher sports. Tonight he calls his last game. William Wilcoxen has more. Part.2 is a rebroadcast of an interview with John Gagliardi from September 24, 1999.
December 22, 2000 - Mark Seeley, climatologist and meteorologist at the University of Minnesota, talks about the weather trends of the past year and predictions for the year to come.
December 20, 2000 - Voices of Minnesota with legendary Guthrie Theatre costume designer Annette Garceau and Dick Goebel, a founder of America's Second Harvest, the country's largest food bank system. Also, Carl Anderson on his experiences in World War II and singing on an Armed Forces Christmas Eve NBC broadcast in 1941.
December 20, 2000 - The latest edition of "A Common Place" about children and religion.
December 19, 2000 - Susan Gaertner, Ramsey County attorney; and Ellen Ade, an advocate for victims of domestic violence at the St. Paul Intervention Project, discuss domestic violence, what causes it, and how the system handles domestic violence.
December 18, 2000 - Walter Mondale, former U.S. vice president, reflects on the 2000 United States presidential election and what lies in store for the leaders of the country and the citizens of the U.S. George W. Bush was elected after nearly-tied vote. U.S. Supreme Court rules on Florida ballot court challenge; results have Al Gore losing election, George W. Bush winning.
December 5, 2000 - The second hour of Midday and the latest edition of our "Voices of Minnesota" series features the recently retired Catholic Bishop of New Ulm, Raymond Lucker. During his twenty five years of service, his outspoken and liberal views were often controversial. The program also includes Rabbi Bernard Raskes interview and Dan Gunderson report on faith-based healing.
December 5, 2000 - Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura talks about his XFL job, the state budget, the upcoming Legislative session, and other caller questions.
November 29, 2000 - Best-selling author Scott Turow, speaking at the Pen Pals Lecture Series, sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
November 24, 2000 - A Macalester College speech about reparations for slavery, by human rights activist Randall Robinson. His new book is titled, The Debt: What America Owes Blacks.