January 28, 1986 - Don Fraser, Minneapolis mayor, gives his State of the City address. MPR’s Dan Olson and Euan Kerr report prior to the address. Afterward, they get commentary from various individuals at the event.
February 11, 1986 - David Broder, a Washington Post journalist, speaking at Minnesota Meeting in Minneapolis. Broder’s address was on the topic, "The Washington Political Scene." He talked about the political twists and turns the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act is causing in congress, and his view of several major party "front runners" for the presidential nomination in 1988. Deborah Howell, St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press managing editor, was moderator at event. Minnesota Meeting is a non-profit corporation which hosts a wide range of public speakers. It is managed by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
February 17, 1986 - Alvin Poussaint, Harvard University psychiatry professor, speaking at Coffman Union as part of Black History Month at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Poussaint’s address was on the topic "The Psyche of a Racist Culture." In speech, Poussaint says racism is deeply rooted in American culture, and even extends to the way a person's race is defined. Dr. Poussaint has devoted much of his career to studying the psychological effects of racism on Black people. He has written two best-selling books, "Why Blacks Kill Blacks", and "Black Child Care".
February 18, 1986 - Jim Dutcher, former University of Minnesota basketball coach, speaking at Minnesota Press Club. Dutcher resigned following Madison, Wisconsin incident that resulted in the arrest of three Gopher players, who were accused of rape. Dutcher spoke out that he resigned over the decisions made by University. After speech, Dutcher answered audience questions.
March 10, 1986 - William H. Gray III, U.S. Representative D-PA., and chair of the House budget committee, speaking at the Carlson Lecture Series at held Northrop Auditorium. Gray's address was titled, "A Balanced Budget: What Cost to You?" Gray also serves on the Committee on Appropriations, the District of Columbia Committee, and on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. He has been vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. He has been senior minister at Bright Hope Baptist Church in North Philadelphia since 1972 and continues to preach three dozen sermons a year.
March 14, 1986 - Rudy Perpich, Minnesota Governor, discusses the ending of legislative session, and the outstanding state budget. George Boosey, capital correspondent, joins conversation. Perpich also answers listener questions.
March 17, 1986 - Brendan Shortall, executive director of the Irish American Cultural Institute, discusses Irish culture and the American connection. Topics include the Institute, St. Patrick, political strife, Irish exploration, and Irish music. Shorthall also answers listener questions.
March 24, 1986 - Faye Wattleton, national president of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice advocate, and John Willke, national president of "Right to Life" and leader of the pro-life movement debate the subject of abortion. Debaters were joined by St. Olaf seniors Erin Rasmussen and Cathryn Abresch. Moderator of the debate was Dr. Joan Gunderson, history professor at St. Olaf College in Northfield, where the debate took place.
March 26, 1986 - Dr. Kenneth Blanchard, author and chairman of the board of Blanchard Training and Development Inc, speaking at Minnesota Meeting in Bloomington. Blanchard addresses how to motivate people. He critiques social programs and promotes the idea of self-motivation. Blanchard is best known for the book, "The One Minute Manager", which he co-authored with Spencer Johnson. Minnesota Meeting is a non-profit corporation which hosts a wide range of public speakers. It is managed by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
April 1, 1986 - William Norris, retired chairman of Control Data Corporation, speaking at the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce about reviving the rural economy. Norris’s address was titled "Comprehensive Rural Economic Development and Job Creation in Minnesota." Norris called on his colleagues in the business community to pitch in and help revive the rural economy. Norris said the family farm was a viable economic unit which had suffered from bad farm policy and misapplied technology, but that the family farm could survive if the business and public sector cooperated on coming up with ideas.