For many who have listened to the airwaves over the previous decades, Gary Eichten’s voice is synonymous to Minnesota Public Radio. The retired MPR News editor-at-large Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, including news director, special events producer, and station manager. He routinely 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!).
It all began on April Fool’s Day in 1967, when Eichten started his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at Collegeville’s KSJR, MPR’s first station. He became the station’s one-man news department and quickly found that turning up his headphones forced him to speak more intimately, which gave him that radio voice.
In the fall of 1992, Eichten moved from hosting the regional late-afternoon edition of All Things Considered to hosting Midday. In his new role, Eichten personified the art of hosting, a tradition begun by the program’s previous host, Bob Potter. It also solidified Gary’s distinct tone and insightful questions that listeners came to hear as being MPR.
As Midday host, Eichten let his guests answer those questions and sought to understand their responses. With daily early morning research, his respectful but direct on-air style, and assistance from his long-time producer Sara Meyer, Eichten found himself making memorable radio…from a poignant sign-off of the original regional “All Things Considered,” a live on-air moment with a contentious Governor Ventura, to even a pledge drive.
Among the honors Eichten received during his MPR career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for Best Local News Program and the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, Eichten was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame.
Simply put, Mr. Eichten is a Minnesota treasure, on and off the air.
November 4, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on civil rights & political activist Jesse Jackson’s visit to the Twin Cities for a groundbreaking on an inner city shopping complex, one of first in country conceived and developed by minorities. Jackson is president of group called PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), which encourages minority business ownership.
November 8, 1974 - Republican Arlen Erdahl, Minnesota Secretary of State and former Minnesota state representative, discusses loss in 1974 election and how changes to election law in Minnesota in waning years of Nixon fallout may or may not have affected Republican fortunes in state and national elections. Erdahl focuses on how names appear on ballots and in what order, partisan transport to polling stations, and identity verification of voters.
November 9, 1974 - Republican Arlen Erdahl, Minnesota Secretary of State and former Minnesota state representative, discusses recent shifts in power in state legislature, resulting in a Democratic majority. Erdahl outlines what Republicans need to do to return to prominence.
November 11, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents news items of an untraditional Veteran's Day celebration address by St. Paul Mayor Larry Cohen, comments from Reverend Russell Krambeck, and a protest demonstration in Twin Cities.
November 29, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on how layoffs are bringing about charges of sexual and racial discrimination. Civil rights group explain that laying off employees with least seniority mean laying of minorities and women.
February 4, 1975 - MPR host Gary Eichten talks with MPR reporter Kevin McKiernan about the end of occupation with Gresham abbey occupiers taken to jail by local authorities. 39 people were booked at the jail and charged with criminal trespassing to a dwelling, which is a misdemeanor, however some may be charged with felonies. Immunity from prosecution was not part of the agreement that the Native group reached with Alexian Brothers.
August 25, 1975 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews columnist and author Jim Klobuchar, who discusses diversity, immigration, and racism in Minnesota.
August 25, 1975 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with columnist and author Jim Klobuchar, who reflects on immigrants to the Iron Range and how they made their living.
August 26, 1975 - Jim Klobuchar comments on Hubert Humphrey's "bleeding heart politics" and how it affected the national picture of American politics.
August 27, 1975 - Jim Klobuchar discusses local professional sports teams, specifically the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, as well as the benefits of a new stadium.