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Way back when Minnesota Public Radio was first getting started — reporting the news and broadcasting classical collections for Minnesota's listening pleasure — MPR didn't have separate news and music services.


Instead, extended newscasts were incorporated into the music programs.


That meant if you were listening to Garrison Keillor's morning program on April 14, 1970, you would have heard the news from him. 

To listen to that newscast, click the second audio player above.

Past and present


For folks who wanted more depth, MPR did produce an hourlong news and public affairs program, which aired weeknights at 7 p.m. It was titled, "Events, Issues and Ideas" and tackled everything from the Vietnam War to stocks and weather to conspiracy theories.


During one show on Nov. 4, 1969, the program began with a rousing bout of classical tunes, then was introduced by music announcer Arthur Hoehn.


Gary Eichten was beginning his career as a journalist when that show aired. He spent 45 years as a news host for Minnesota Public Radio before retiring in 2012.

To listen to the entire Nov. 1969 program, click the third audio player above.

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In celebration of MPR's 50th anniversary, here's a taste of how the news was presented on Minnesota Public Radio when we were just starting out.

You may have heard that throughout the year, we're celebrating MPR's 50th anniversary, and this morning, we are broadcasting live from the place where it all started, the campus of St. John's University in Collegeville which is in lovely pastoral part of eastern Stearns County.  MPR's Cathy Wurzer marked the anniversary marked the occasion by broadcasting from Brother Willie's Pub which is about a city block away from MPR's first station, KSJR.  She also spoke with longtime MPR news voice Gary Eichten.

MPR 50:  It all started on the campus of St. John's University

If you were listening to Garrison Keillor's morning program on April 14, 1970, you would have heard the news from him.

The early days at MPR: When music and news shared a call sign

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