November 28, 1974 - The DNR has begun the process of giving the Kettle River in northern Minnesota scenic and wild rivers protection. It will likely be a lengthy and divisive process. At a public planning hearing DNR Commissioner Bob Herbst explains how the draft plan will be a model and standard for natural resource preservation in Minnesota. The plan cannot be imposed on residents against their will; land owners must be willing to sell property or scenic easements. DNR staffer Mike Pressness explains scenic easements. Sen. Florian Chemeliewski remembers the initial Minnesota Wild and Scenic Rivers Act proposal and tells how he fought successfully to remove eminent domain, keep final approval with local government and protect land owner and farmer rights. Pine City's zoning administrator Ward Blake says this program will be controversial and more difficult to enforce than regular shoreline regulations.
November 29, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on how layoffs are bringing about charges of sexual and racial discrimination. Civil rights group explain that laying off employees with least seniority mean laying of minorities and women.
November 29, 1974 - Governor Anderson says he thinks we're moving into period of austerity, as we look at the unemployment figures and our revenue projections, it's clear for the next two years will be tough to honor requests for additional employees.
December 2, 1974 - No fault auto insurance starts Jan. 1 1975. Under this law every car owner?s own insurance pays no matter who is at fault. The law applies only to bodily damage, not motor vehicle damage. The law has angered seniors who would pay premiums covering loss of earned income, when they don?t have earned income, thus they?d be paying for something they?re not getting. Andrew Whitman, insurance consultant, explains the provisions of the law, and objections to it. He says the no-fault portion is a small part of a typical premium. The law could be challenged due to a statute requiring that insurance rates not be unfairly discriminatory.
December 2, 1974 - A teen girl died from sniffing Pam, a spray vegetable coating used in cooking, consisting of 98 percent Freon and 2 percent vegetable oil. North Dakota State Toxicology Lab scientists Dr. N.G. Raugh and Dr. Alphonse Bocklus explain what Freon is and the dangers involved in sniffing it to get high. Freon, a brand name now used generically for a fluorocarbon, is found in spray product propellants in various concentrations.
December 2, 1974 - Warren Ditch, Minneapolis Homestead Coordinator, talks about a new Minneapolis homestead program offering selected houses for one dollar. Buyers will be chosen by lottery. The city has a low-interest loan program to help with costs of renovation, with rates from 4, 6 and 8 percent depending on homeowner income. Homesteaders must complete renovations and bring the house up to code within a certain time period and occupy it for three years.
December 13, 1974 - Richard S. Salant, president of CBS News, engaged in a question and answer session sponsored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Minnesota. MPR reporter Connie Goldman attended the informal discussion of network news operation and prepared this report. Ron Handberg of WCCO-TV, a CBS affiliate, introduced Richard Salant.
December 17, 1974 - John Boland, state legislator and chairman of the Metropolitan Council, talks about the state of the region to the Citizens League annual meeting.
January 21, 1975 - MPR’s Kim Hodgson reports on the aftermath a little over a week since the “Blizzard of the Century” on the Northern Plains. Damage estimate numbers on livestock lost at about 1% to 3% of livestock inventory, totaling $1.3 million for seven county area.
May 7, 1975 - United States and Canada come to loggerheads when discussions regarding of price increases and possible problems with natural gas supplies. Canadian concerns stem from recent oil embargos affecting Canada's energy supply. Concerns over conservation have influenced price increases abroad. Cooperation to develop possible new sources of oil acquisition also discussed.