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 17, 2009 - Environmentalist Lester Brown lays out his plan for saving the planet. Lester Brown, a longtime leader in the environmental movement, discusses climate change, food security, and energy policy. He is out with a new book titled, "Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization."
November 11, 2009 - Minnesota native Richard Moe is retiring as president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. He joins Midday to talk about community revitalization and why it's important to save America's historic buildings and places. Richard Moe: President, National Trust for Historic Preservation. Former chief of staff for Senator Walter Mondale and senior staff for President Jimmy Carter. Chairman of Minnesota DFL Party 1969-1972. Author, "The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers."
November 10, 2009 - An 'Intelligence Squared' debate features three panelists FOR and three panelists AGAINST the proposition: Good Riddance to the Mainstream Media. Guests: Jim VandeHei: Executive editor of Politico. Michael Wolff: Columnist for Vanity Fair and the founder of news aggregator newser.com. Phil Bronstein: Former executive vice president and editor at large of the San Francisco Chronicle. David Carr: Reporter and columnist for the New York Times. Katrina vanden Heuvel: Editor and publisher of The Nation.
November 5, 2009 - Harvey Cox is a Baptist minister and preeminent American theologian. He recently retired as the Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, where his research and teaching focused on the interaction of religion, culture, and politics. He is the author of "The Secular City," and is out with a new book, "The Future of Faith." He spoke before an audience at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
October 30, 2009 - Midday presents an American RadioWorks documentary titled “Early Lessons,” which explores the history of preschool.
October 29, 2009 - Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts, speaks about his new book, "Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World." Rabbi Kushner has written several books over the past three decades, including his 1981 bestseller about coping with tragedies, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." He was a featured speaker at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
October 27, 2009 - Garrison Keillor talks about life, literature, and his latest book, "Pilgrims: A Wobegon Romance." Keillor is the host of the public radio program "A Prairie Home Companion" and the author of more than a dozen books. He spoke at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Edina, Minnesota in October 2009.
October 27, 2009 - Garrison Keillor talks about life, literature, and his latest book, Pilgrims: A Wobegon Romance. Keillor is the host of the public radio program "A Prairie Home Companion" and the author of more than a dozen books. He spoke at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Edina, Minnesota in October 2009.
October 23, 2009 - Kate DiCamillo discusses her books with MPR's Cathy Wurzer at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Tale of Despereaux" won Newbery Awards and were made into movies. Her newest book is "The Magician's Elephant." Guest: Kate DiCamillo: Award-winning author of several children's books, including "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" and "The Tiger Rising," which was a finalist for the National Book Award.
October 23, 2009 - Kate DiCamillo discusses her books with MPR's Cathy Wurzer at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Tale of Despereaux" won Newbery Awards and were made into movies. Her newest book is "The Magician's Elephant." Guest: Kate DiCamillo: Award-winning author of several children's books, including "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" and "The Tiger Rising," which was a finalist for the National Book Award.