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.
November 8, 2002 - Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman talks to Gary Eichten about the situation in the middle east, terrorism, and other global issues. He is the author of a new book, "Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11."
October 31, 2002 - Our "Meet the Candidates" series continues with Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty.
October 30, 2002 - Tune in to Midday for the rest of this week to hear from the major gubernatorial candidates. Today learn about the views of DFLer Roger Moe. Then Republican Tim Pawlenty will be in the studio Thursday at noon, and IP candidate Tim Penny on Friday at 11 a.m. Green Party candidate Ken Pentel was on October 24th.
October 30, 2002 - On this Midday program, a focus on Walter Mondale and the U.S. Senate Race. Program begins with a profile of former Vice President Walter Mondale by MPR’s Dan Olson. This is followed with excerpts of previous interviews with Mondale. Program also includes clips with the other candidates for U.S. Senate.
October 29, 2002 - On this Midday program, commentator Sarah Stoesz, attorney Sam Kaplan, and callers share stories about the late Senator Paul Wellstone, and the family members and campaign workers who died with him.
October 26, 2002 - A special Saturday edition of Midday the day after Senator Paul Wellstone's fatal plane crash. Included are audio clips from the MPR Archives and callers' remarks.
October 25, 2002 - Live coverage of Paul Wellstone plane crash from 12:28 to 1:00 p.m. Midday host Gary Eichten is joined by political editor Mike Mulcahy in the studio. Reporter Bob Collins talks about the plane and weather conditions. Dan Olson reports from Wellstone headquarters.
October 21, 2002 - The latest installment of our Voices of Minnesota series featuring ornithologist Harrison Tordoff and nature photographer Jim Brandenburg.
October 15, 2002 - Long-time award-winning journalist Sam Donaldson shares his thoughts about the president, violence in the Middle East and war with Iraq in a speech he gave Sunday night at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. He is the author of the book, "Hold On Mr. President."
October 11, 2002 - On October 15, 1852, the first train of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad traveled from Chicago to Joliet, Illinois. Two years later it would bring a delegation of East Coast journalists and dignitaries to the Mississippi River as part of the Grand Excursion to Minnesota. Over the next 50 years, as the Rock Island Line grew, it carried passengers and freight through 14 states and became part of the story of the American west. Then it inspired a song that has been passed from generation to generation. Learn the story of the railroad.