Spectrum was a regional affairs program that ran from 1976 through 1979 (network stations individually broadcast programming of regional interest on Saturday mornings, of which, Spectrum was broadcast for 91.1 KSJN).
Spectrum presented a wide range of “local” subject matter. Everything from debates, speeches, documentaries, and long-form reports could be heard from week to week. Program included many well-known MPR voices, such Bob Potter, Debbie Gage, Rich Dietman, Neal St. Anthony, Dan Olson, and Dale Connelly, among others.
August 7, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion on trends regarding the health of the city of Minneapolis. After a downturn of 1950s-1960s due to suburban growth, the 1970’s show positive changes, including increase in middle- and upper-income families moving back into the city, and investment in neighborhoods and older buildings.
August 14, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a look at the various aspects on the use and impact of the Mississippi river. Contains various interviews of officials, residents and historians, speaking about the river. Program also includes reading of Mark Twain by Garrison Keillor, and music intro/outro segments.
September 18, 1976 - While governments issue bonds to pay for major buildings and other improvements, the Minnesota Taxpayers Association released a report in August warning that the amount of debt per capita is too high, especially in St. Paul. This is a panel discussion on local government debt, comprising of John Haynes, Governor Wendell Anderson's staff assistant for taxation and school finance; State Senator Joseph O'Neill, Independent-Republican from Saint Paul who serves on the Taxes, Education and Rules Committees in the State Senate; Don Patterich, executive director of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association; and Charles Hanna, executive Secretary of the Capital Long Range Improvements Committee for the city of Minneapolis.
October 2, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, there is a discussion on residential burglary in Minnesota. Burglary was the subject of an intensive study by the Citizens League recently, and the League issued a report entitled, "Suppressing Burglary." Studio guests Gary Joselyn, who chaired the committee which wrote the report, and Calvin Clark, a Citizens League staff member who assisted the committee provide details of report and answer listener questions.
October 23, 1976 - This regional public affairs program includes Citizens League breakfast address by St. Paul Board of Education chairman Eleanor Weber, answering questions about tax increase ballot referendum and other issues, followed by superintendent George Young, discussing instructional television and daycare.
November 27, 1976 - This regional public affairs program is a panel discussion on the state of the arts in the Twin Cities. The six panel members met at The Place, a downtown club of the Arts Alliance. The panel comprised of Samuel Sachs II, Minneapolis Art Institute director, Barbara Field, literary manager at the Guthrie Theater, Bernie Singer, president of the Minnesota Association of Community Theater, Donald L. Engle, President of the Minnesota Orchestral Association, Dale Huffington, director of Continuing Education in the Arts, University of Minnesota and Bob Lundegaard, Arts Education, Minneapolis Tribune.
December 4, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion of handbook on agricultural areas (aka Agricultural Planning Handbook), in the metropolitan area. Dan Olson interviews Alexander Dean and Jim Schoettler from the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Dean and Schoettler also answer listener questions.
December 18, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, studio guests Brother Theodore Drahmann, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis; and John Littleford, headmaster of Breck School in Minneapolis discuss nonpublic schools.
January 8, 1977 - In 1967 the legislature created the Metropolitan Council to address problems like waste disposal, transit, and urban sprawl. In this annual meeting of the Citizens League, members discuss the origins of the Metropolitan Council, where it is going, and the implications in other areas for this type of approach to regional government. Citizens League President Rollin Crawford opens discussion, and Speaker of the Minnesota House Martin Sabo’s remarks conclude the Citizens League Forum.
January 29, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, Joe Graba, Deputy Commissioner of Education for the State of Minnesota, talks to Dan Olson about school budget. Graba also answers listener questions.