Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
June 29, 1979 - MPR’s Tom Meersman interviews Lee Botts, chairman of the Great Lakes Basin Commission. She discusses the present and future status of the Great Lakes. Topics include phosphorus and algae problems, the definition of “dead lakes,” and pollution.
June 30, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, a presentation of Neal Peirce, syndicated columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group and a contributing editor for the National Journal, speaking to the Committee on Urban Environment, an advisory group to the City Planning Commission of Minneapolis. Pierce’s address was on the topic of city development as it relates to neighborhoods and shopping centers.
June 30, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, Charles Weaver, new chairman of the Metropolitan Council, discusses the Metropolitan Council and urban development. He also shares his thoughts on Neal Peirce speech to the Committee on Urban Environment.
July 7, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman presents highlights from Hispanic festival on the West Side of St. Paul. This was the first El Midwest Canto Al Pueblo (aka - Song to the People). Program includes interviews with artists, music breaks, poetry reading, and other sounds from and about the festival.
July 11, 1979 - Richard Buckminster Fuller, American architect, speaking to the Women's National Democratic Club. Topics include architecture, economy, and inflation. Following his speech, Fuller answers audience questions. Fuller was also a systems theorist, author, designer, inventor and futurist.
July 18, 1979 - Stewart Udall, environmentalist and former Secretary of the Interior, and Leon Martel, executive vice president of the Hudson Institute, debate the resolution "There Is an Energy Crisis in the United States" at the first annual Charles A. Lindbergh Memorial Lecture at St. Cloud State University. Stewart Udall argued there is an energy shortage in the United States, while Leon Martel argued the opposite.
July 20, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Dr. Frank Busta, member of the Food Science Department at the University of Minnesota. Busta discusses controversy that has arisen in a related sorbate study and about whose side food scientists are on...consumers or big business?
July 23, 1979 - Mark Seetin, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, discusses the state of agriculture in Minnesota. Topics include economic health, end of drought, gasohol, beef prices, and American Agriculture Movement. Seetin also answers listener and reporter questions.
July 25, 1979 - MPR’s Lee Axdahl provides a report on pollution concerns of PCBs (aka - polychlorinated biphenyls) in the Great Lakes. Axdahl tours the Environmental Protection Agency's research ship Crockett as it traverses Lake Superior. Scientists on the vessel are examining the health of the water.
July 26, 1979 - Kenneth Young, Director of the Department of Court Services, Hennepin County; Cindy Turnure, Director of Research for the Crime Commission Planning Board; and Ray Cummings, Director of Planning and Evaluation for Court Services talks with MPR’s Dan Olson about crime in Minnesota. Topics include FBI study noting 17% increase in national crime statistics.