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.
September 22, 1999 - A University of St. Thomas speech by film critic and nationally syndicated columnist Michael Medved. He is author of several books including "Hollywood vs. America."
September 22, 1999 - The topic of criminals under ten is disscussed with Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner and David Sanders, director of Children & Family Services in Hennepin County.
September 17, 1999 - A Twin Cities speech by Texas commentator and humorist Jim Hightower. He spoke at the Minnesota AFL-CIO annual meeting this week.
September 2, 1999 - On this special live Midday program from the Minnesota State Fair, a debate about the idea of a unicameral legislature. MPR’s Gary Eichten moderates a discussion with DFL State Senator Allan Spear, who supports unicameral, and former Republican Party Chair Chris Georgacas, who opposes unicameral.
September 1, 1999 - MPR sports analyst Jay Weiner will be in the studio to discuss Vikings Owner Red McCombs' demand for a new stadium or he'll move the team, and the proposal from Major League Baseball owners to drop the small market teams (like Minnesota). Jay is a sports writer for the Star Tribune newspaper.
September 1, 1999 - Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe will join us to talk about DFL priorities for the next session, and to respond to the Republican tax cut priority. Moe also answers listener call-in questions.
August 31, 1999 - Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum talks about the House GOP's recently announced priorities. Sviggum also answers listener call-in questions.
August 30, 1999 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens Forum on the future of rural Minnesota, held at the Minnesota State Fair. Panelists Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator; Bob Ness, Minnesota state representative and chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Finance committee; and Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner, discuss issues and solutions of the rural farm community.
August 30, 1999 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Mike Mulcahy, MPR’s political editor; Sara Janacek, republican analyst; Bob Meek, DFL commentator; and Julie Shortridge, reform party activist, about politics at a live broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair. Topics include Governor Ventura, Minnesota senate race, and 2000 presidential race. Program begins with news from MPR’s Greta Cunningham.
August 27, 1999 - A "Talk of Minnesota" program, presenting the views of MPR listeners on tax rebate checks. Topics include questions of what should be done with them; should the government have kept the money; should overall taxes be cut; who should get the credit for the nation's biggest tax cut.