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.
May 27, 1998 - With the announcement of the U's Cancer Center winning a prestigious designation from the National Cancer Institute, Dr. John Kersey, Director of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center talks about the latest developments in cancer research and treatment. Dr. Kersey answers listener questions.
May 26, 1998 - Minnesota Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III and Andrew Czajkowski of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota addresses Minnesota Meeting. Their presentation is titled: "Minnesota vs. Big Tobacco: Now What?" Speeches are followed by a question and answer period. Minnesota Meeting is a non-profit corporation which hosts a wide range of public speakers. It is managed by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
May 26, 1998 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents a public reponse call-in show on the Minnesota Citizens Forum about crime. Various issues on crime, including racism, prevention, and poverty are commented upon.
May 21, 1998 - Andrew Latham of Macalester College, and Joe Dowling, Artistic Director of the Guthrie Theater and a native of Ireland, discuss the upcoming Northern Ireland peace accord vote, known as the “Good Friday” agreement. Lathan and Dowling also answer listener questions.
May 20, 1998 - Professor Dwight King of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb IL, and Mahmood Zaidi, Director of International Programs at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management discuss current events in Indonesia. King and Zaidi also answer listener questions. There is also an interview with Evelyn Lee, President of the Minnesota Indonesia Society. Programs begins with report on the status of civil unrest and demands for change in leadership in country.
May 20, 1998 - In observance of B-BOP Day, when commuters are encouraged to find a way to get to work without driving alone in a car, Gary Eichten talks with Bob McFarlin and John Lundell about highway congestion and what the future holds. McFarlin and Lundell also answer listener questions. Program begins with an interview with Trish Moga, Manager of Metro Commuter Services, about B-Bop Day.
May 18, 1998 - MPR Political commentators Bob Meek and Tom Horner talk about the race for the governor's office, which is the first in decades where an incumbent is not running. Topics include upcoming Republican and Democratic primaries and conventions, tobacco settlement, sports stadium debate, and negative campaigning. Meek and Horner also answer listener questions.
May 15, 1998 - Ray Suarez, NPR's Talk of the Nation host, critiques the media at a recent Twin Cities seminar sponsored by the Twin Cities chapter of the Association of Women in Communications. Suarez’s speech was titled "The Media's Role in Defining Reality."
May 15, 1998 - Arne Fogel, local radio personality and music historian, discusses the musical legacy of Frank Sinatra, who died May 14th, 1998. Fogel gives insight on Sinatra’s impact on popular singing. Program includes Sinatra song segments.
May 14, 1998 - Midday presents a broadcast of Donna Lopiano, executive director of the Women's Sports Foundation, speaking at College of St. Catherine Forum on Women in Leadership. Lopiano’s speech is titled The Changing World of Women and Sport.