December 9, 1978 - Excerpts from a National News Council hearing dealing with subjects, ranging from corporate ownership of newspapers to a charge of biased reporting against the New York Times. One case in particular attracted a good deal of attention - a complaint against NBC News that a recent NBC documentary was inaccurate and unfair. The program in question, called, "I Want it All Now!", portrayed the lifestyle of the residents of Marin County, California, as self-indulgent, narcissistic and hedonistic. After hearing six hours of testimony, the council ruled the program was "journalistically flawed".
December 14, 1978 - MPR's John Ydstie, of KCCM in Moorhead, and Dan Olson talk with representatives from American Agriculture Movement. Interviews are with Elmo Olson, North Dakota State coordinator; Tom Benson from Appleton, Minnesota; and Minnesota farmer Duane Carlstrom. In 1977, the American Agriculture Movement, a new organization that had originated in the wheat growing areas of Colorado, was spreading across the country organizing tractorcades, cattle blockades at the Canadian and Mexican borders, and other farmer demonstrations to protest the low price for farm products. The American Agriculture members finally took their demonstrations to Washington to make their point to the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of Agriculture.
February 6, 1979 - Report on the abandonment of a hundred-mile branch line railroad track in southeastern Minnesota and how that abandonment would affect the communities, residents and businesses along its route. Minnesota has about 7,000 miles of rail lines - that figure was 8,000 miles just over ten years ago. Since then, rail line abandonment has increased, and the pace of abandonment is picking up. Railroads operating in the state have requests before the Interstate Commerce Commission that 400 miles of track be scuttled. Minnesota officials say another 300 miles of line may become moribund in the next three years. One of the requests before the ICC is that a 100-mile branch line in Southeastern Minnesota be abandoned. The track follows the root river from La Crescent on the Mississippi River to Ramsey just north of Austin in Mower County. The rail serves 12 communities and about 50 businesses. But Milwaukee Road officials say the line is a loser because there isn't enough traffic. MPR's John Gaddo of KLSE in Rochester visited some of the businesses along the track and prepared this report.
February 14, 1979 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland speaking before a Farm Forum in Minneapolis. Bergland commented on the domestic farm situation. Speech was followed by a question and answer with audience members.
February 28, 1979 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Willis Anthony, University of Minnesota agricultural economist, who discusses farming, its future, problems and solutions. MPR’s John Ydstie talks about planting. Program also includes report from MPR’s Jennifer O'Neil on set-aside program.
March 24, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, a MPR’s Rich Dietman presents report looking at released study of the Carnegie Commission on the future of public broadcasting, titled “Carnegie II.”
April 7, 1979 - On this special regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Roland Jensen, director of corporate and strategy and planning for Northern States Power, and Ken Peterson, an attorney for Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, who discuss advantages and disadvantages of producing electricity using nuclear power.
April 14, 1979 - Stephen Keating, vice-chairman of Honeywell Incorporated; Angus Wurtele, chairman of Valspar; Don Larson, editor of "Corporate Report" business magazine; and Bill Drake, counsel for Medtronic Incorporated, discuss democracy in governance of corporations, social responsibility and shareholder relations.
April 14, 1979 - On this special regional public affairs program, MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Bill Angell, extension housing specialist for the University of Minnesota; Win Peterson, past president of the Minneapolis Board of Realty; Mike Harris of the St. Paul Board of Realty; and Judith Owen, assistant vice-president at the First National Bank of St. Paul, who discuss the housing market in the Twin Cities.
April 24, 1979 - MPR’s live coverage of Minnesota House Energy and Utilities Committee hearing on fuel supplies in Minnesota. Program includes various speeches and commentary, including that of Dick Wiggly, chairman of the Minnesota House Energy and Utilities Committee, and Al Johnson, director of Minnesota Energy Agency.