October 18, 1978 - Bruce Vento, Minnesota representative from the 4th District (DFL); Ed Zabinsky of the Boundary Waters Conservation Alliance; and Steve Payne of the Duluth Wilderness Society discuss the BWCA bill that passed the U.S. Congress, and the divergent views of the use and protection of BWCA.
November 21, 1978 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews William Johnson, political science professor at Bethel College; and Lloyd Brandt, public affairs office of the First Banks System. Johnson and Brandt discuss the state-local fiscal relationship and tax limitation proposals, based on a Citizens League report on the fiscal and tax situation in Minnesota.
November 22, 1978 - Mike Murphy, Upper Midwest Council, and John Millhone, Minnesota Energy Agency, discuss energy and its problems in the state, including rising costs. Murphy and Millhone also answer listener questions.
December 6, 1978 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Helena Sodenberg, tax consultant with Coopers and Lybrand in Minneapolis; and Ceil Victor, tax specialist for performing artists and non-profit organizations, who discuss taxes and tax exemptions for volunteers and performers.
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 6, 1979 - A panel discussion with journalists, as part of 10-day The Vietnam Experience and America Symposium, held at the Macalester College.