March 29, 1973 - One of the first witnesses on the second day of Senate Communication subcommittee hearings on federal funding for public broadcasting was William Harley, president of the National Association of Educational broadcasters. Chairman Pastori asked him what essentially is the trouble in public broadcasting, Harley answers: The dream of the Carnegie Commission has not been fulfilled as anticipated, In order to be independent from possible political pressure there would have to be established an independent corporation to funnel the funds to the stations, and keep the funds from being subject to annual appropriation. We have not been able to do that and are now having some repercussions. We could not establish a true heat shield to protect this enterprise from the possiblity of pressures. It?s new, it?s struggling to get started, of course there will be problems and difficulties, differences in philosophies. What?s going on is a conflict over whether to be centrally controlled or if control rests with the stations. There?s been lip service to localism. There have been moves in recent months which suggest an assertion of authority by the corporation board of exerting even greater central control. He?s confident difficulties can be worked out. He hopes to announce and agreement between corporation board and licensees. This can be resolved within the industry without resorting to legislation.Ralph Rogers, chairman of the Coordinating Committee Governing Board of the public television licensees testified on control and scheduling of the television interconnection. He says licensees want to get programs over interconnection without restraint or censorship. However the corporation charged under the law that programs of controversial nature must be objective and balanced. Problem resolved by creating a monitoring committee, of both CPB and licensees. Reporter unknown.
March 30, 1973 - Reporter does comparison shopping of salvage food stores to area supermarkets and finds little overall savings. Heller?s Railway Salvage Supermarket manager Stu Yellen explains how the salvage food system works, pricing strategies, and that profits are not outrageous, but are similar to wholesale/retail ratios. Customers talk about prices. Reporter compares prices for ketchup, ground beef, and other products.
April 1, 1973 - Connie Goldman examines Minnesota's parole system by looking in detail at one of its recent decisions. The release of Bill Rankin, convicted of three felonies, aroused a storm of public protest that eventually reached the Governor's office. We hear both Rankin and the critics of his release in this program.
April 3, 1973 - Cable TV is an exciting and new opportunity with the potential for educational opportunities. State Senator Borden says the state has to provide regulation. Other states have seen corruption without cable regulation; local governments don?t have expertise to deal with these companies. There needs to be public hearings on who will get the franchises, a need to ensure competitive bids, and establishment of minimum standards. Cable companies say the industry is already regulated enough by the FTC. When color TV first came in there were no standards which resulted in three different systems; a state agency could set minimum standards for inter-connectivity, public access and program origination. The bill would ask the industry to pay for its own regulation, as is done in other areas of state government. There?s potential for cable snooping, and although two-way communication will be some time in coming there?s a need to respect people?s right to privacy. The bill prohibits censorship, which might provide an avenue for adult content which would be subject to pornography laws. A growing concern is concentration of the growing communications media industry in a few hands. A cable commission would need to judge each case.
April 6, 1973 - Rising meat prices have prompted a meat boycott movement headquartered in California, Fight Inflation Together. A local meat cutter?s union spokesman claims the boycott is being observed mostly in affluent neighborhoods. Families in those areas think it?s stylish to go along with the boycott. The state chapter chairman says the boycott is not intended to hit the farmers. She doesn?t think that?s where the price rise is. The group may ask homemakers to support two meatless days each week.
April 6, 1973 - The Coleman bill on health maintenance organizations (HMOs) would allow both for-profit and non-profit HMO?s in Minnesota. Right now only non-profit HMO?s are permitted. The bill would give HMO?s a legal basis to operate and provide state regulation, both of which don?t exist now. It would also provide money for planning and research to start new HMO?s. The interviewee discussed what makes an HMO a non-profit. He says the bill would allow health consumer to choose which provides better service at a cheaper price. The state Board of Health would monitor quality control and there would be a strong reporting system with strict regulations. Group Health, the largest and oldest HMO in Minnesota wants to limit the bill strictly to non-profits; newer HMOs support the bill because it allows more flexibility.
April 6, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman talks with Steven Rumph, Canadian harpsichordist, who is touring in the Twin Cities. As part of his visit, Rumph stops by a Robbinsdale school to give lecture-demonstration on virginal and harpsichord to 5 and 6-year-olds.
April 6, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman looks at the Orff Music Education System, a music educator organization founded in 1968 to promote the philosophy of Carl Orff, German contemporary composer and educator. The Orff approach promotes children using special instruments to make music their own way. Lynne Wagenholt, a teacher, explains the system
April 6, 1973 - Wounded Knee situation update. A cease fire still on, but it could go off if there will be no disarmament tomorrow. Marshal Coburn plans to come in tomorrow and sweep for weapons, do daylong search for weapons, photograph and arrest those with warrants, and interview residents of Wounded Knee. Russell Means is to call tomorrow midmorning with information about whether the meetings have started, which will determine whether to continue the cease fire. People are not willing to disarm at this time. There has been federal government misinterpretation about agreement. Kevin McKiernan reports.
April 8, 1973 - MER’s Greg Barron rides along with Saint Paul Police Officers Joe Pelton and Keith Martenson as they patrol the streets of the city during the night watch. Barron captures events of the evening in dramatic fashion through sounds and actions that take place as they intervene in a domestic dispute.