June 14, 1981 - Proceedings of the United States Senate Field Hearing and High Sulfur Coal Export Conference held June 8–9, 1981, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. This program is on the topic of “Emergency Utilization of Coal,” one of a several items addressed at conference. Panel discussions were moderated by U.S. Senator Charles Percy, U.S. Representative Paul Simon, and John Castle, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.
June 26, 1981 - Dr. Gough Reinhardt, physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California; and Dr. Frank Barnaby, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, debate at the Science Town Hall Meeting titled, “Nuclear Weapons Technology: Do We Need It?” The meeting was held at the St. Paul-Ramsey Arts and Science Auditorium and presented guests' differing views of nuclear weapons technology and the value and uses of nuclear science. MPR’s Rich Dietman moderated debate.
July 2, 1981 - Live debate coverage of the 72nd Legislature’s 1981 2nd special session. Debate includes enacting a short-term borrowing law so state can meet its financial obligations during cash shortage and correcting certain errors in 1981 laws.
October 1, 1981 - Midday presents a National Town Meeting about the great American novel with authors Francine Gray and Larry McMurtry.
October 3, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly talks with Minnesota writer Carol Bly about the Midcontinent Forum for the Future of Literature. The conference of theme is on literary funding options as writers find less federal government and foundation money available.
October 14, 1981 - Don Fraser, Minneapolis mayor, speaking at Macalester College on the economic, military and defense policies of the Reagan administration. Program includes a brief introductory report from MPR’s Bob Potter.
October 21, 1981 - Ralph Nader, author and consumer activist, speaking at the annual convention of the Minnesota Education Association in Minneapolis. Nader’s address was on the topic of consumerism. He also talks on various topics such as contaminants and competency tests. Nader has been active in consumer affairs for nearly two decades. Auto safety, hazards in the workplace and contaminants in the environment are just a few of the areas that Nader and his associates have investigated. A few years ago, the Nader organization examined the competency tests given to students seeking college admission.
November 5, 1981 - Governor Al Quie state of the state address from governor's office in St. Paul.
November 19, 1981 - A Midday broadcast of Dr. Rollo May, author, psychologist, and theologian speaking to the Westminster Town Hall Forum on love, creativity, freedom, anxiety, and death.
November 24, 1981 - Governor Al Quie delivers his fourth budget address of the year, broadcast live.