June 30, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, a presentation of Neal Peirce, syndicated columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group and a contributing editor for the National Journal, speaking to the Committee on Urban Environment, an advisory group to the City Planning Commission of Minneapolis. Pierce’s address was on the topic of city development as it relates to neighborhoods and shopping centers.
June 30, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, Charles Weaver, new chairman of the Metropolitan Council, discusses the Metropolitan Council and urban development. He also shares his thoughts on Neal Peirce speech to the Committee on Urban Environment.
July 11, 1979 - Richard Buckminster Fuller, American architect, speaking to the Women's National Democratic Club. Topics include architecture, economy, and inflation. Following his speech, Fuller answers audience questions. Fuller was also a systems theorist, author, designer, inventor and futurist.
July 26, 1979 - Kenneth Young, Director of the Department of Court Services, Hennepin County; Cindy Turnure, Director of Research for the Crime Commission Planning Board; and Ray Cummings, Director of Planning and Evaluation for Court Services talks with MPR’s Dan Olson about crime in Minnesota. Topics include FBI study noting 17% increase in national crime statistics.
July 27, 1979 - Cesar Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers, speaking at College of Saint Teresa’s Institute on Justice. The theme was “Attaining Justice Through Compassionate Leadership."
July 28, 1979 - Dr. James Kern, psychologist and former professor of guidance and counseling at Winona State University, speaking at a conference of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota at Carleton College in Northfield. The theme of conference was "The Value of Children.” Kern shares stories and insights of the child.
July 30, 1979 - MPR reporter John Ydstie presents sound portrait of a powwow celebration. Ydstie went to the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota and recorded various interviews and performances from the Ojibwe cultural event.
August 4, 1979 - In this documentary, Craig Oliver, of public station WAMU in Washington, traveled to Minnesota as part of a national examination of the D.C. congressional representation question, with three-quarters of a million residents of the district having no voting representatives in the U.S. House or Senate. The Minnesota legislature is one of six state legislatures in the country which have voiced approval of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, designed to give the District of Columbia full congressional representation. 38 states must agree to ratify, within seven years, if the proposed amendment is to take effect. Program presents various reports and interviews from opponents and supporters of amendment.
August 11, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, C. Donald Peterson, Minnesota State Supreme Court justice; John Finnegan, executive editor at St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch; and Marshall Tannick, Minneapolis attorney and former journalist, discuss a number of 1979 court decisions affecting first amendment press rights including freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the people's right to know.
August 13, 1979 - Midday presents “The Way to 8-A,” a documentary sound portrait on the involuntary commitment to Hennepin County General Hospital's Ward 8-A, a psychiatric ward. Program looks at the people being committed, those doing the committing, the staff, and the entire process of involuntary commitment.