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 4, 1998 - On this special State Fair edition of Midday, Mike Hatch, Ember Reichgott-Jung and David Lillehaug, the three Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates for attorney general, visit with MPR’s Gary Eichten at the MPR booth. Hatch, Reichgott-Jung and Lillehaug debate the campaign issues and answer questions from the fair audience.
September 4, 1998 - Judy Schaubauch and Sandra Peterson, the co-presidents of the new teachers' union, Education Minnesota, visit MPR’s Gary Eichten at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Schaubauch and Peterson discuss education issues in the news and answer questions from the fair audience.
September 3, 1998 - An MPR Special presenting interviews with all seven major party gubernatorial candidates on crime and recent crime reports, followed by listener reaction to the candidates. Program begins with brief reports on the various candidates.
September 2, 1998 - Kathy Tunheim, president of Tunheim-Santrizos, and Leonard Lee, president of the Right Stuff, share analysis of the public relations war being conducted by Northwest Airlines and the pilots' union. Tunheim and Lee also answer listener questions.
September 2, 1998 - Mark Dayton, Democratic-Farmer-Labor gubernatorial candidate, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the issues in the campaign. Topics include latest polls, education, healthcare, and diversity. Dayton also answers listener questions.
September 1, 1998 - Veterinarian Kate An Hunter and Deb Schneider, dog trainer from the Carver Lake Veterinary Center, continue discussion with MPR’s Gary Eichten at the state fairgrounds. Hunter and Schneider discuss pets in general, dog obedience and answer questions from the fair audience.
September 1, 1998 - Veterinarian Kate An Hunter and Deb Schneider, dog trainer from the Carver Lake Veterinary Center, visit MPR’s Gary Eichten at the state fairgrounds. Hunter and Schneider discuss pets in general, dog obedience and answer questions from the fair audience.
August 31, 1998 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens Forum gubernatorial debate held at Minnesota State Fair. The five DFL candidates, Skip Humphrey III, Doug Johnson, Mark Dayton, Mike Freeman, Ted Mondale, and Independent candidate Jesse Ventura attended (Republican Norm Coleman did not accept invitation). Star Tribune’s Lori Sturdevant moderated debate, which begins with discussion of Northwest strike.
August 31, 1998 - Chris Farrell, MPR's senior business and economics editor, discusses recent negative activity on the stock market, farm surpluses, Russian and Asian financial crises. Farrell also answers listener questions.
August 27, 1998 - Mark Seeley presents his annual weather quiz to the audience at the State Fair. Topics include history of State Fair weather, hurricanes, and upcoming winter. Seeley also answers audience questions.