Spectrum was a regional affairs program that ran from 1976 through 1979 (network stations individually broadcast programming of regional interest on Saturday mornings, of which, Spectrum was broadcast for 91.1 KSJN).
Spectrum presented a wide range of “local” subject matter. Everything from debates, speeches, documentaries, and long-form reports could be heard from week to week. Program included many well-known MPR voices, such Bob Potter, Debbie Gage, Rich Dietman, Neal St. Anthony, Dan Olson, and Dale Connelly, among others.
August 7, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion on trends regarding the health of the city of Minneapolis. After a downturn of 1950s-1960s due to suburban growth, the 1970’s show positive changes, including increase in middle- and upper-income families moving back into the city, and investment in neighborhoods and older buildings.
August 14, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a look at the various aspects on the use and impact of the Mississippi river. Contains various interviews of officials, residents and historians, speaking about the river. Program also includes reading of Mark Twain by Garrison Keillor, and music intro/outro segments.
August 21, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Dan Olson profiles the Minneapolis Police Department. Olson reports on a 1976 League of Women Voters “Police Community Report,” which highlights issues in the politics of appointments, law enforcement budgets, training, communications, community relations, administravitive rules & planning, discriminatory actions, and stability in leadership.
September 18, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a panel discussion on local government debt. While governments issue bonds to pay for major buildings and other improvements, the Minnesota Taxpayers Association released a report in August warning that the amount of debt per capita is too high, especially in St. Paul.
October 2, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion on residential burglary in Minnesota. Burglary was the subject of an intensive study by the Citizens League recently, and the League issued a report entitled, "Suppressing Burglary."
October 23, 1976 - This regional public affairs program includes Citizens League breakfast address by St. Paul Board of Education chairman Eleanor Weber, answering questions about tax increase ballot referendum and other issues, followed by superintendent George Young, discussing instructional television and daycare.
November 27, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a panel discussion on the state of the arts in the Twin Cities. The six panel members met at The Place, a downtown club of the Arts Alliance. Panelists share their thoughts on trends, problems, and future of various fields in art community.
December 4, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, a discussion of handbook on agricultural areas (aka Agricultural Planning Handbook), in the metropolitan area. Dan Olson interviews Alexander Dean and Jim Schoettler, both from the Metropolitan Planning Commission, about strategizing land use in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including farming.
December 18, 1976 - On this regional public affairs program, studio guests Brother Theodore Drahmann, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis; and John Littleford, headmaster of Breck School in Minneapolis discuss nonpublic schools in Twin Cities. Topics include differences from public schools and enrollment.
January 8, 1977 - In 1967 the legislature created the Metropolitan Council to address problems like waste disposal, transit, and urban sprawl. In this annual meeting of the Citizens League, members discuss the origins of the Metropolitan Council, where it is going, and the implications in other areas for this type of approach to regional government.