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.
March 30, 2000 - On this Midday, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson talks about charges his administration was improperly involved in the threat to move the Twins and gain a new ballpark. Program also includes a talk with Twins President Jerry Bell.
March 29, 2000 - Star Tribune writer and Minnesota Public Radio sports analyst Jay Weiner will be in the MPR studios to talk about his new book, Stadium Games: Fifty Years of Big League Greed and Bush League Boondoggle
March 27, 2000 - On this Midday program, Nick Hayes, history professor at Hamline University, gives an analysis of the Russian elections in which Russia's new president-elect Vladimir Putin won a majority of the vote in presidential election.
March 24, 2000 - A Macalester College speech by Marketplace host David Brancaccio, about his new book, Squandering Aimlessly: My Adventures in the American Marketplace.
March 14, 2000 - Mike Don Carlos, of the DNR; Dale Lueck, of the National Cattlemen's Association; and Karlyn Berg, member of HOWL, a wolf advocacy group and wolf consultant for the Humane Society of the United States discuss the Wolf Management Plan and legislation for protection and killing of wolves.
March 13, 2000 - Elaine Chao, former President of the United Way of America and former director of the Peace Corps; spoke at the College of St. Catherine "Forum on Women in Leadership."
March 13, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura talks about the fate of his legislative program.
March 2, 2000 - A twin cities speech by author Studs Terkel. Studs spoke at Macalester College recently. His most recent book is The Spectator.
February 28, 2000 - MPR’s John Rabe talks with Ralph Nader, Green Party presidential candidate. Nader discusses the issues in the campaign, including wealth discrepancy in country, labor laws, gun control, and environment. Nader also answers listener questions.
February 24, 2000 - Sam Grabarski, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council; and Steve Cramer, executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency discuss downtown Minneapolis and what to do with "Block E."