November 3, 1979 - Dr. Gerald Webers, a geologist at Macalester College in Saint Paul, talks about his upcoming three-month expedition to Antarctica, studying everything from seal behavior to upper atmospheric radiation. The expedition is being funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and will be based at Camp Macalester in the Ellsworth Mountains. Webers has agreed to send back his observations on tape from time to time so that we can hear firsthand how things are going.
November 24, 1979 - MPR Rich Dietman interviews David Hozza, St. Paul City Council president, who has announced he would not seek re-election to the council next spring. Hozza reflects on accomplishments during his tenure and reasons for leaving.
December 1, 1979 - On this Weekend program, Joe and Nancy Paddock speak on farm life and read poetry at the Farmers Union Convention.
December 8, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Gen Husnik, personal banker with Northwestern National Bank in St. Paul; Robert Polander, Twin Cities Federal Savings and Loan; and Bernard J. Duffy, president of the Minnesota Consumer Credit Counseling Bureau, who discuss personal finances, savings and mortgages. The group also answers listener questions.
December 22, 1979 - On this Weekend program, a retrospective look at retiring Minneapolis City Council president Lou DeMars, who chose not to run for re-election in 1979.
December 22, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman talks with MPR producer Nick Nash on the upcoming live U.S. stereo broadcast of “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” by King's College, Cambridge.
December 22, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman presents a sound print of what Christmas is in other countries. Segments include music and discussion with Willa Ramos (Mexico), Theodora Geokazus (Greece), Maria Moran (Philippines), and Florence Hart (Scotland). The group share the different traditions and celebrations.
January 5, 1980 - Nancy Fushan interviews magician Harry Blackstone, who will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. Blackstone shares details of his traveling performance.
January 12, 1980 - James Bill, professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, speaking at University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union on the events in Iran. Bill spent much of his adult life studying Iran and the Middle East and has lived there as well. In his speech, he shares his perspective on reasons behind Iranian revolution, and repercussions.
January 19, 1980 - Sonia Johnson, feminist and equal rights amendment (ERA) supporter, speaking at the University of Minnesota. Johnson was excommunicated from the Mormon church after she spoke out for ERA and against church political activities against ERA. Her address is part of a country tour in trying to rally renewed support for the Equal Rights Amendment. In her speech, she says she took on the political arm of the church and lost - a political arm that she says is actively campaigning against passage of the ERA and using deception as a key tool.