April 28, 1986 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks Twins baseball with Minneapolis Star & Tribune sports commentator Howard Sinker. The two discuss the Metrodome roof sinking in during the 8th inning of April 27th game, the poor performance of the relief pitchers, and various other Twins players.
May 1, 1986 - Poet, author, and farmer Wendell Berry speaks at the College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph. The speech is entitled "In Defense of the Family Farm."
May 8, 1986 - Midday presents the late John Ciardi delivering an address called "Why Read?" Following speech, a segment of New Letters on the Air with Ciardi reading some of his poetry (The Collectors; The Glory; Happiness; For Myra, John L. and Benn; Mutterings; Obsolescence; Habitat; and Perversity).
May 16, 1986 - Ely’s Jackpine Bob Cary predicts a big fish opener for Minnesota anglers. Cary comments on fish…and politics.
May 20, 1986 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Minneapolis band The Replacements. Wareham interviews lead singer Paul Westerberg, who discusses the band’s reputation and “style” of music. Segment contains music clips of Replacements songs.
May 21, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal presents a profile of the 1986 Minnesota Music Awards. Bickal describes the elaborate scene, talks with a limo driver, interviews an unimpressed Soul Asylum, and hears from a disgruntled guest. Segment also highlights Prince accepting honor as first charter member of the Minnesota Music Academy.
May 22, 1986 - New York Times reporter Andrew Malcolm, author of Final Harvest: An American Tragedy, speaks to the Minnesota Press Club about his story of the murder of Ruthton, Minnesota, bankers Rudy Blythe and Toby Thulin.
May 27, 1986 - MPR’s Kate Moos talks with St. Paul’s Ann Bancroft about her expedition to the South Pole. Bancroft recounts the challenges of being in the Arctic.
May 29, 1986 - On this Midday program, Paul Gruchow is interviewed and answers listener questions about the Minnesota prairie and his book, Journal of a Prairie Year.
May 30, 1986 - As Minnesota Press Club prepares to host a publisher and writers conference, MPR’s Loren Omoto interviews local writer Will Shetterly about the conference and discusses the history of The Scribblies, a group of local fantasy and science fiction writers that came together in 1981 to develop their writing talents.