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.
February 23, 1998 - As part of the continuing MPR series Voices of Minnesota, a presentation of conversations with James Griffin, one of Minnesota's first Black police officers and first deputy police chief for St. Paul; and Hennepin County Judge Pamela Alexander, Minnesota's first Black female judge.
February 13, 1998 - A Westminster Town Hall Forum address by former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove. Rita Dove's speech is entitled "The Poet's Voice."
February 3, 1998 - Midday previews the State of the State address and looks back in history to previous addresses. Guests Al Quie, former Republican governor; and Bob Vanasek, former DFL Speaker of the House share their reflections and listeners call in with questions.
January 2, 1998 - Midday presents the January edition of MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, featuring interviews with three outgoing Minneapolis City Council members, who have nearly 70 years of experience between them: Alice Rainville, Walt Dziedzic, and Dennis Schulstad.
December 31, 1997 - A Midday rebroadcast of historian Stephen Ambrose's visit to MPR in 1997. Ambrose is the author of the best-selling books Citizen Soldiers, about D-Day until the end of World War II in Europe; and Undaunted Courage, about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
December 5, 1997 - Midday presents a special Voices of Minnesota, with Minnesota writer Bill Holm reading from his book Faces of Christmas Past, a collection of essays and reminiscences about Christmas in Iceland and Minnesota.
December 2, 1997 - Leigh Kamman, long-time host of The Jazz Image, reflects on the artistry of the late great French violinist Stephane Grappelli. Listener also call-in with comments and questions.
November 28, 1997 - Midday presents an NPR recording of Norman Corwin's play The Secretariat. Performers include Hume Cronyn, William Shatner, and Tandy Cronyn (who is Hume's daughter).
November 27, 1997 - On this Midday call-in program, a focus on questions about charitable giving…Who we help and why we help? Does the help make a difference in people's lives? Studio guest Major Robert Thomson, the northern division secretary of the Salvation Army in Minnesota and North Dakota, answers these and other questions from listeners.
November 21, 1997 - Minnesota’s U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone joins Midday to talk about his completed "Poverty Tour" and his possible campaign for president. Wellstone also answer listener questions about issues before the U.S. Congress.