Live coverage of pre-programmed events, such as live broadcasts from the Minnesota State Fair, Westminster Town Hall Forum, the Capitol and public events.
January 26, 1978 - A live broadcast of the Minnesota Legislature debating the special election bill.
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.
March 23, 1978 - A live discussion of the Minnesota Opera Company production of “Claudia Legare”, with librettist Bernard Stambler; composer Robert Ward; Washington Post music critic Paul Hume; Minneapolis Star music critic Roy Close; and Minnesota Opera Company stage director J. Wesley Balk. Panelists talk on how to get the most out of an opera. Discussion was moderated by Bill Parker.
September 9, 1978 - This regional public affairs program presents live coverage on the dedication of renovated Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, with MPR co-anchors Rich Dietman and Marilyn Heltzer.
November 1, 1978 - Senate debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters with the cooperation of Common Cause of Minnesota, held at the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center on the Macalester campus. Features DFL, I-R and American Party candidates for the six-year Senate seat. DFL incumbent Wendell Anderson arranged his appointment to the rest of Walter Mondale's Senate term when Mondale was elected vice president. Ever since, Anderson has fared poorly in several public opinion surveys. His I-R challenger, Rudy Boschwitz, held a 20-point lead over Anderson in the early days of the campaign; but in the latest Minnesota Poll, that lead has been cut to just 3 percent. Boschwitz has mounted an aggressive, expensive campaign in his effort to defeat Anderson. The American Party candidate, Sal Carlone, is a private investigator and general contractor who has never before sought public office. Tonight's panelists are Steve Dornfeld, staff writer for the Minneapolis Tribune; Karen Boros, WCCO Television reporter; and Ann Darby, deputy director of community outreach programs for the Minneapolis Urban League. The moderator is Helene Borg, president of the League of Women Voters.
January 3, 1979 - MPR’s Bob Potter provides live coverage of Minnesota Legislature swearing-in ceremony along with a preview of what the lawmakers may accomplish.
January 29, 1979 - MPR’s Bob Potter reports live from the state capital on the Minnesota Senate Tax Committee, which is hearing witnesses on the proposed repeal of the metropolitan area liquor tax as it relates to the proposed downtown Minneapolis domed stadium. Witnesses include stadium opponent Senator Robert Ashbach, principal stadium supporter Senator Steve Keefe, among others.
March 14, 1979 - MPR’s Bob Potter and Dale Connelly report from the stadium hearing held by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Topics include various financial and lease negotiations with the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings regarding a new downtown stadium.
March 16, 1979 - The Minnesota House Tax Committee hears tax proposals to help finance a downtown Minneapolis domed stadium, including a 2% liquor tax. The committee votes to repeal the liquor tax. After vote, MPR’s John Merli interviews various committee members.
April 2, 1979 - MPR’s live coverage of Minnesota House debate on bill and vote on S.F. 20, a bill to repeal the 2% sports stadium commission liquor tax on on-sale liquor in the seven-county metro area. Includes conclusion of debate and subsequent house vote.