November 24, 1979 - MPR Rich Dietman interviews David Hozza, St. Paul City Council president, who has announced he would not seek re-election to the council next spring. Hozza reflects on accomplishments during his tenure and reasons for leaving.
December 17, 1979 - Author and journalist David Halberstam speaking as part of the Minneapolis Public Library's "Portrait of a Lifestyle" program. David Halberstam talked about the media and its effect on us. Halberstam’s books include "The Powers That Be", a critique on the media, and "The Best and the Brightest,” examining the motivations behind U.S. policy in Vietnam.
December 22, 1979 - On this Weekend program, a retrospective look at retiring Minneapolis City Council president Lou DeMars, who chose not to run for re-election in 1979.
December 26, 1979 - A Minnesota state lawsuit claims the officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have illegally enforced the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act. Environmental activist groups are expected to intervene in the suit if motor restriction is eased in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
January 4, 1980 - Donald Anderson, director of the Mid-American Solar Energy Complex, speaking at a conference on alternative energy and energy conservation held in Mankato, and sponsored by the Region Nine Development Commission. Donald Anderson is a former professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and helped develop solar energy products at the Sheldahl Company in Northfield. Mid-American Solar Energy Complex is a 12 state Midwestern group which is working on the technical, financial, and political aspects of solar energy.
January 12, 1980 - James Bill, professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, speaking at University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union on the events in Iran. Bill spent much of his adult life studying Iran and the Middle East and has lived there as well. In his speech, he shares his perspective on reasons behind Iranian revolution, and repercussions.
January 19, 1980 - Sonia Johnson, feminist and equal rights amendment (ERA) supporter, speaking at the University of Minnesota. Johnson was excommunicated from the Mormon church after she spoke out for ERA and against church political activities against ERA. Her address is part of a country tour in trying to rally renewed support for the Equal Rights Amendment. In her speech, she says she took on the political arm of the church and lost - a political arm that she says is actively campaigning against passage of the ERA and using deception as a key tool.
January 22, 1980 - MPR’s Lee Axdahl reports on U.S. Senator Dave Durenburger requesting Small Business Administartion (SBA) assist businesses near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The business owners say they are struggling since restrictions of the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act.
January 31, 1980 - Minnesota House of Representative Majority Caucus Leader Irv Anderson presents a DFL response to Governor Al Quie's State of the State address.
January 31, 1980 - Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Nicholas Coleman presents a DFL response to Governor Al Quie's State of the State address.