May 2, 1977 - MPR’s Neal St. Anthony reports on debate between U.S. Congressmen Jim Oberstar and Don Fraser over the merits of their competing BWCA legislative bills in Congress. Report includes excerpts of both speaking during debate.
May 2, 1977 - MPR’s Kate Williams profiles Earl Craig, Jr., president of the Minneapolis Urban Coalition and chairman of the political organization of the Black Unity and Futurism Conference. Craig says it's been hard for Blacks to organize a political force here in the Twin Cities because what few Blacks live in this area don't live in a centralized place as in many larger cities.
May 3, 1977 - MPR’s Alan Searle looks at Minnesota DNR attempts to bring more order to smelting activities along the North Shore with a Smelt Information Center. The goal is to provide better communication and education to public, both local and from afar.
May 5, 1977 - MPR’s Debbie Gage reports on debate in Minnesota Senate chambers over gay rights bill, which would have given protection to gays in the areas of housing employment education and credit, but not sanction gay marriage or gay adoption. It also did not provide protection and public accommodations.
May 12, 1977 - U.S. Representative Donald Fraser, of Minneapolis, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Fraser spoke on his bill regarding future use of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota. Fraser's bill would ban entirely any logging or use of motors from both the interior and exterior portions of the BWCA.
May 12, 1977 - Congressman Jim Oberstar, of the 8th district, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Oberstar, who represents an area which includes the BWCA, spoke on his bill proposing legislation which would add more territory to the existing million acres of the BWCA and roughly split the land between a wilderness area for hiking and canoeing only, and a "recreational area" where motorboats, snowmobiles and some logging would be permitted.
May 14, 1977 - Scientist and feminist Estelle Ramey speaking in Minneapolis, as part of a series of appearances by women sponsored by Dayton's. Ramey’s topic was “Sex Hormones and Executive Abilities”, which discussed men versus women in positions of control.
May 16, 1977 - MPR’s John Merli reports that Minnesota Vikings General Manager Mike Lynn and Twins President Calvin Griffith were among the large crowd of onlookers who packed into the governor's reception room to watch the signing of one of the most controversial bills to pass through the legislature.
May 21, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR legislative reporter Debbie Gage introduces an example of the Minnesota legislature and how they function. The debate on this program is on the Ban the Can bill, which deals with container deposit and litter.
May 30, 1977 - MPR’s Rachel Kranz reports on the efforts of local The Playwrights’ Lab.