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.
October 19, 2009 - Author Mitch Albom discusses his latest book.Mitch Albom, columnist and author of "Tuesdays with Morrie," joins Midday in the studio to talk about his latest book, "Have a Little Faith."
October 15, 2009 - From the pilgrims to Independence Hall, the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement; from Presidents George Washington to Barack Obama author Bruce Feiler traces how the Exodus story of Moses plays out in American history. Feiler discusses his newest book, "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story" in conversation with Stephen Smith, executive editor of American RadioWorks.
October 13, 2009 - Best-selling author Harold Kushner joins Midday to talk about his newest book, "Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World."
October 13, 2009 - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Nicholas Kristof addresses the Westminster Town Hall Forum about his new book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide."
October 1, 2009 - NAACP chairman Julian Bond reflects on the state of the civil rights movement now that a black man is president of the United States. In 1968, Julian Bond, now chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was the first African-American man to be nominated by a major party as a candidate for the vice presidency.
September 29, 2009 - America faces difficult choice in Afghanistan, to send more troops there or not. The U.S. has been in Afghanistan nearly eight years, and yet the situation there is increasingly unstable. With debate brewing over further troop increase, Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz about the path that lies ahead. Walz also answers listener questions.
September 4, 2009 - Garrison Keillor, host of the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion", joins Gary Eichten at the Minnesota State Fair for this Midday program.
August 26, 2009 - Midday presents the documentary “Divorced Kid: Stories from the 1970's divorce revolution.” MPR’s Sasha Aslanian reports on the long-term impact of the divorce explosion in U.S. during the 1970’s.
August 19, 2009 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz is holding a town meeting on health care reform in Mankato. In advance of that meeting, he joins Midday to talk about healthcare reform and other issues facing Congress.
July 2, 2009 - MPR’s Mark Zdechilk presents the MPR Special Report “Minnesota’s Unending Senate Battle - Al Franken's Road to the Senate.” Chapters include The Campaign, The Election, and The Recount Trial.