April 3, 1979 - Almost a year has passed since one of the most divisive election campaigns in St. Paul’s history. The attempt to repeal gay rights in St. Paul at first became a part of, and then completely overshadowed, the city’s mayoral and city council elections. The repeal effort brought theologians, civil rights experts, lawyers, entertainment personalities and media from all over the country. When the ballots were counted the citizens of St. Paul had voted overwhelmingly against the right to affectional or sexual preference. The question of initiative or referendum status has come before the Minnesota Supreme Court.
April 5, 1979 - The final debate on the bill to repeal the 2% liquor tax to help financing the domed stadium is concluded with a vote to repeal the tax.
April 5, 1979 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Wes Skjegstad, tax examiner for Minnesota Revenue Department; and Esme Evans, member of publication office at Minnesota Revenue Department discuss state taxes and tax reporting. Skiegstad and Esme also answer listener questions.
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 17, 1979 - Vine Deloria Jr., Native American activist, attorney, and author, and political science professor at the University of Arizona in Tucson, speaks at the eighth annual Putnam Lectureship in Social Ethics at Hamline University. Deloria Jr’s address was titled "The Natural Philosophical Tradition." Following his speech, Deloria took questions from the audience.
April 21, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, Dr. Richard Kagan, a Hamline University professor of History and East Asian Affairs, discusses the implications of America's recognition of China for Taiwan. He was visiting Taiwan when the when it was announced that diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei would be cut.
April 21, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, a presentation of "How the Chinese See Themselves", a BBC report about the Four Modernizations and current Chinese attitudes and intentions about politics, education, culture, economic development, international relations and military affairs.
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.
April 26, 1979 - Marcia Gelpe, University of Minnesota Law Professor, speaking at Public and Private Land Use Rights Forum held at Wilmar Community College. Gelpe’s addressed the subject of eminent domain. This is an excerpt of speech.
April 26, 1979 - Leslie Green, head of the Minnesota Parole Board, talks with MPR’s Pat Kessler about the work of the board. Topics include his own personal criminal history and reflecting on what it’s like to be on both ends of the table of a parole board session.