July 21, 1986 - On this Christine Sweet Reads episode, Patricia Hampl’s book A Romantic Education is highlighted.
July 30, 1986 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports on staging of John Olive's Short Stories and Tall Tales. The performers, Kevin Kling and James Lawless discuss the work.
August 1, 1986 - Ed Wahlberg, a striking steelworker leader at U.S. Steel taconite plant in the Mesabi Iron Range, talks about the misleading public perception regarding wages at plant.
August 2, 1986 - Joseph Nicollet biographer Martha Bray details the life of explorer and his important impact in Minnesota history and mapping. In developing her book, Bray utilized Nicollet's journals, survey documents, correspondence, and published writings.
August 4, 1986 -
August 8, 1986 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on massive hailstorm that pounded farmland in Lincoln County. Steil interviews famers about the damage from softball-sized hail.
August 11, 1986 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten interviews Dave Bishop, District 33B Minnesota House representative, about his concerns on backlog of Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
August 16, 1986 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on Will Weaver’s book Red Earth, White Earth. The novel is set along the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota and highlights the conflicts between white farmers and native Ojibwe in northern Minnesota. Kerr interviews the author and a literary agent about the book.
August 19, 1986 - MPR’s Kate Moos reports on the many preparations involved in getting the Minnesota State Fairgrounds ready for its end of summer event. Moos interviews numerous parties as they work and fails at her attempt to become an extra judge for the baking submissions.
August 21, 1986 - MPR’s Jim Bickal interviews various individuals on preparations for another Minnesota State Fair opening. Tasks include everthing from spraying painting the Space Needle to acquiring unglazed plates for smashing in the Midway.