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.
August 4, 1998 - Susan Stamberg report on Miep Gies, a Dutch woman who hid Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis for 25 months before they were discovered on August 4, 1944. Gies was the woman who preserved Anne Frank's diary. Report is followed by Dan Olson interviewing Lucy Smith, a Holocaust survivor.
August 4, 1998 - On this Midday, Sheryl Ramstad Hvass and Amy Klobuchar, two candidates for Hennepin County attorney, discuss their plans for fighting crime. Topics include burglary, juvenile justice system, National Night Out, and repeat offenders. Hvass and Klobuchar also answer listener questions.
August 3, 1998 - Dee Long, Minneapolis state representative and Minnesota House Tax committee chair, discusses taxes. Topics include tax cuts and state programs. Long also answers listener questions.
July 31, 1998 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Jesse Ventura, Reform Party candidate for governor. Ventura discusses the issues and his campaign. Topics include surplus, campaign money, hemp crops, neighborhood schooling, parenting involvement, and gambling.
July 30, 1998 - An MPR Special presenting interviews with all seven major party gubernatorial candidates on education, followed by listener reaction to the candidates. Program begins with brief reports on the various candidates.
July 29, 1998 - Michael Barone, senior staff editor at Reader’s Digest, speaking at the Center of the American Experiment's Distinguished Fellows Program. Barone’s address was titled "Cultural Politics and Media Fevers: Are They Causing Good People to Shun Public Office?" Following speech, Barone answers audience questions.
July 29, 1998 - Jean Johnson, senior vice-president of the polling firm Public Agenda, and State Senator Larry Pogemiller, Chair of the Senate K-12 education committee, discuss a new education survey called "Time to Move On." The study showed that African-American parents want public schools to focus on raising academic standards rather than promoting integration and diversity. Johnson and Pogemiller also answer listener questions.
July 28, 1998 - Norm Coleman, St. Paul mayor and gubernatorial candidate, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the issues in the campaign. Topics include uniformity of conceal and carry, partial-birth abortion, and education. Coleman also answers listener questions.
July 28, 1998 - Robert McGregor, the President of the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility, discusses business ethics. Focus of discussion is "The Minnesota Principles Toward An Ethical Basis For Global Business" (aka - The Minnesota Principles). McGregor also answers listener questions. Robert McGregor, the President of the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility, discusses business ethics. Focus of discussion is "The Minnesota Principles Toward An Ethical Basis For Global Business" (aka - The Minnesota Principles). McGregor also answers listener questions.
July 27, 1998 - Eugene McCarthy, former US Senator and 1968 Presidential candidate talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about his new book, “No-Fault Politics: Modern Presidents, The Press and Reformers.”