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 30, 2009 - Midday presents an American RadioWorks documentary titled “Early Lessons,” which explores the history of preschool.
October 29, 2009 - Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts, speaks about his new book, "Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World." Rabbi Kushner has written several books over the past three decades, including his 1981 bestseller about coping with tragedies, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." He was a featured speaker at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
October 27, 2009 - Garrison Keillor talks about life, literature, and his latest book, Pilgrims: A Wobegon Romance.
October 27, 2009 - Garrison Keillor talks about life, literature, and his latest book, Pilgrims: A Wobegon Romance.
October 23, 2009 - Kate DiCamillo discusses her books with MPR's Cathy Wurzer at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Tale of Despereaux" won Newbery Awards and were made into movies. Her newest book is "The Magician's Elephant." Guest: Kate DiCamillo: Award-winning author of several children's books, including "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" and "The Tiger Rising," which was a finalist for the National Book Award.
October 23, 2009 - Kate DiCamillo discusses her books with MPR's Cathy Wurzer at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Tale of Despereaux" won Newbery Awards and were made into movies. Her newest book is "The Magician's Elephant." Guest: Kate DiCamillo: Award-winning author of several children's books, including "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" and "The Tiger Rising," which was a finalist for the National Book Award.
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."