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.
June 22, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson's speaking to the Republican State Convention. Speech is followed by interviews with Norm Coleman, St. Paul mayor and Republican gubernatorial nominee, and Speaker of the House, Phil Carruthers.
June 22, 1998 - Rich Naistat of the National Weather Service in Chanhassen talks about the weather. Topics include summer, long days, dew points, global temperatures, and severe weather. Naistat also answers listener questions.
June 19, 1998 - Gary Eichten continues broadcast from the Republican state convention at Target Center in Minneapolis. Program features reports from the floor of the convention, and the views of MPR political commentators Bob Meek, Tom Horner, Sarah Stoesz, and Sarah Janacek. Commentators also answer listener questions. Program ends with official opening of convention, and speech from Minority House Speaker Steve Sviggum.
June 19, 1998 - Gary Eichten broadcasts from the Republican state convention at Target Center in Minneapolis. Program features interviews with the candidates for Governor, the endorsed candidate for Attorney General, reports from the floor of the convention, and the views of MPR political commentators Bob Meek, Tom Horner, Sarah Stoesz, and Sarah Janacek. Commentators also answer listener questions.
June 18, 1998 - William Cooper, Republican Party Chairman and Twin City Federal CEO, previews the state convention and the issues Republicans will be addressing in this year's campaigns. Cooper also answers listener questions. Program begins with a report on the upcoming GOP convention.
June 17, 1998 - Speeches by Gubernatorial candidates Norm Coleman, Joanne Benson and Allen Quist to the Minnesota Young Republicans meeting in Bloomington. They were asked to talk about the reasons they got involved in politics and suggest why young people should also get involved. Program also includes interview with candidate Dick Borrell.
June 17, 1998 - Allen Quist, republican gubernatorial candidate, joined program for a statewide call-in program on the issues in the gubernatorial campaign. Topics included GOP convention, gay and lesbian rights, abortion, welfare and job policy and discrimination.
June 16, 1998 - Mike Freeman, the DFL-endorsed gubernatorial candidate, joined program from MPR Collegeville/St Cloud bureau for a statewide call-in program on the issues in the gubernatorial campaign. Topics included gun laws, education, urban challenges, and environment.
June 15, 1998 - On this Midday program: MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series continues, featuring in-depth interviews with musicians Romuald Tecco, longtime concertmaster of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Dominick Argento, the internationally known Minnesota composer.
June 5, 1998 - Gary Eichten continues broadcast from the DFL State Convention in St. Cloud, and talks with some of the gubernatorial candidates, MPR political commentators Bob Meek, Tom Horner, Sarah Stoesz, and Sarah Janacek. Also includes various reporting on floor from MPR reporters Mark Zdechlik, Martin Kaste, and Karen Louise Boothe.