Digitization made possible by the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, approved by voters in 2008.
October 14, 1981 - Don Fraser, Minneapolis mayor, speaking at Macalester College on the economic, military and defense policies of the Reagan administration. Program includes a brief introductory report from MPR’s Bob Potter.
October 21, 1981 - Ralph Nader, author and consumer activist, speaking at the annual convention of the Minnesota Education Association in Minneapolis. Nader’s address was on the topic of consumerism. He also talks on various topics such as contaminants and competency tests. Nader has been active in consumer affairs for nearly two decades. Auto safety, hazards in the workplace and contaminants in the environment are just a few of the areas that Nader and his associates have investigated. A few years ago, the Nader organization examined the competency tests given to students seeking college admission.
November 10, 1981 - A discussion on the grain export boom, with participants Willard Cochrane, Philip Raup and Vernon Ruttan, all professors of agriculture and applied economics at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul; and Bill Larson, a USDA soil scientist based at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Harlan Cleveland, Director of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs moderates the discussion. He opens with brief intro which refers to the Spring 1981 article in the magazine, "Foreign Affairs", where author Lawrence Soth discusses his view that our reliance on the export of agricultural products is mining our soil. The panel members discuss that view and other topics.
December 2, 1981 - Marilyn French, feminist writer and novelist, shares her thoughts on writing, the feminist movement, and society. French’s books include “The Women’s Room” and “The Bleeding Heart,” amongst others.
December 11, 1981 - Dr. Morton Cohen, professor of English at Columbia University, speaking at St. John's University in Collegeville. Cohen’s address was titled, "The Alice Books, Why They Endure." Speech was part of celebration on the 150th anniversary of Carroll's birth. Dr. Morton Cohen is a scholar of Carroll's many works and letters. Dr. Robert Spaeth, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at St. John's University, introduced Dr. Cohen.
December 12, 1981 - On this Weekend program, Clyde Allen, Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue, and Gene Merriam, DFL state senator, discuss the budget and revenue crises in Minnesota. Allen and Marriam also answer listener questions.
December 19, 1981 - On this Weekend program, MPR’s Rich Dietman talks with Mike Collins, University of Minnesota computer analyst programmer, about home computers. Topics include understanding difference between software and hardware, education courses, and various features. Collins also answers listener questions.
January 13, 1982 - MPR coverage of Governor Al Quie's 1982 State of the State address. Following speech, MPR’s Pat Kessler and Bob Potter get comments and reaction from the floor of the House.
January 20, 1982 - Barry Goldwater, Arizona Republican Senator, speaking at the University of Minnesota, as part of the Carlson Lecture Series. Goldwater's address is titled, "The Conscience of a Conservative, 1982." Goldwater speaks on the failure of liberal leadership, the strengths and weaknesses of the Reagan administration, and shares his criticism of the “Moral Majority” movement.
January 23, 1982 - On this Weekend program, Bruce Watson, a consulting meteorologist, discusses the record-setting snowfalls of January 20th and 22nd in the Twin Cities, winter blizzards, and other issues related to winter weather. Watson also answers listener questions.