February 6, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on Minnesota State Senate vote against the “Ban the Can” bill. In debate before the vote, bill author Win Borden stated he wants an environmental rights bill to address jobs lost due to environmental protection measures; Senator Arnie Ulland claimed the bill is discriminatory as it doesn’t mention wine or whiskey bottlers or out-of-state suppliers; and Senator Robert North remarked that despite talk about cleaning up the environment and saving natural resources, no action is taken and all we get is rhetoric.
May 25, 1974 - Paul Murphy, professor of history at University of Minnesota, and Professor Clyde W. Summers of Yale Law School debate the issue of impeachment, as it regarded to President Nixon. Murphy argued for precedence, Summers for uniqueness of current circumstance. Debate held at the University of Minnesota.
April 22, 1977 - MPR’s Janet Carter reports on forum sponsored by the Lake Superior Basin Study Center at UMD addressing the issue of whether logging should be allowed in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
May 2, 1977 - MPR’s Neal St. Anthony reports on debate between U.S. Congressmen Jim Oberstar and Don Fraser over the merits of their competing BWCA legislative bills in Congress. Report includes excerpts of both speaking during debate.
May 21, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR legislative reporter Debbie Gage introduces an example of the Minnesota legislature and how they function. The debate on this program is on the Ban the Can bill, which deals with container deposit and litter.
January 26, 1978 - A live broadcast of the Minnesota Legislature debating the special election bill.
February 17, 1978 - Proponents and opponents of the controversial high-voltage power line under construction in western and central Minnesota debate the health and safety issues, the economic impact, and other issues. The forum debate was held in the Great Hall. Participants included power line pro¬testers Gloria Woida and John Tripp, Don Jacobsen of the United Power Asso-ciation, environmental expert Dan McConnon, and students Gaylen Schaubroeck and Catherine McGinnis.
March 17, 1978 - This bill prohibits the Minnesota County Welfare boards from paying for abortions except to prevent the death of the mother, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape in which case it must be reported within 48 hours, or if the pregnancy is the result of incest in which case the incident and relative must be reported to the police for investigation prior to the abortion. Normal child birth is given preference over abortion. Passed the House 107-27.
October 18, 1978 - Bruce Vento, Minnesota representative from the 4th District (DFL); Ed Zabinsky of the Boundary Waters Conservation Alliance; and Steve Payne of the Duluth Wilderness Society discuss the BWCA bill that passed the U.S. Congress, and the divergent views of the use and protection of BWCA.
October 21, 1978 - On this regional public affairs program, 5th district candidates Martin Olav Sabo (DFL) and Michael Till (I-R), discuss and debate the issues. The two candidates are looking to fill the seat vacated by Donald Fraser, who sought Minnesota U.S. Senate seat.