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.
December 4, 2001 - A Macalester College speech by Peter Bergen, one of the few Western journalists who has interviewed Osama bin Laden. He is the author of a new book, Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden.
November 23, 2001 - A Voices of Minnesota program featuring three Minnesotans who help the poor find food and work: Steven Rothschild, founder of Twin Cities Rise!, Janine Laird, Hunger Solutions public policy director, and Clarissa Walker. Walker runs the Sabathani Community Center emergency food shelf in South Minneapolis.
November 21, 2001 - A Westminster Town Hall Forum speech by Tom Diaz, senior policy analyst at the Violence Policy Center in Washington DC. He's the author of "Making a killing: the business of guns in America".
November 20, 2001 - The Bush administration embarked on a campaign to tell the world about the Taliban's repression of Afghan women. Gary Eichten discusses the US role in promoting women's rights and human rights among our enemies and our allies with Barbara Frey, professor of International Human Rights at the University of Minnesota, and director of the Human Rights Program at the U's Institute for Global Studies.
November 15, 2001 - A collection of reports from the MPR special series "The Color of Justice," which investigates the racial disparity in Minnesota’s criminal justice system. This Midday program includes reports by MPR’s Dan Olson, Brandt Williams, and Elizabeth Stawicki, as well as various interviews and commentary of officials, academics, and community members.
November 14, 2001 - On this special edition of Midday, Gary Eichten hosts MPR's "Color of Justice Forum," held at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis. Panelists include St. Paul Police Chief Bill Finney, DFL State Senator Jane Ranum, Republican State Representative and Minneapolis Police Inspector Rich Stanek, Hennepin County Judge Tanya Bransford, Hennepin County Public Defender Leonardo Castro, and Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Sheryl Ramstad-Hvass.
November 7, 2001 - Midday presents an update on the future of the Minnesota Twins and professional baseball in Minnesota with a discussion with Jay Weiner, Star Tribune sportswriter and MPR sport analyst; and Bill Lester, executive director of the Sports Facilities Commission; and attorney Michael Ciresi.
November 6, 2001 - Midday talks with guest Gov. Jesse Ventura who talks to talk about issues including the Twins, stadiums, the war and tax rebates. Listeners call in with questions.
November 6, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura joins Midday’s Gary Eichten in the studio to answer MPR listener questions. Jesse Ventura talks about the Twins, stadiums, the end of tax rebates, and the election. During program, Ventura gets into a lively discussion with a caller regarding stadium and tax dollars.
November 2, 2001 - Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, gives an update on the anthrax situation.