January 31, 1979 - Paul Rosenblatt, professor of family and social science at the University of Minnesota discusses his studies of 19th century American diaries, including diaries from immigrants.
February 5, 1979 - Jill Shapiro, of the Feminist Radio Network, interviews Odetta, a black singer well-known for her interpretations of folk songs. Odetta discusses her work and provides examples of her artistry.
February 6, 1979 - MPR's John Ydstie interviews Charles Lutz, the director of the World Hunger Program for the American Luther Church. Lutz speaks on the irony of hunger in a time of world food surpluses.
February 6, 1979 - Report on the abandonment of a hundred-mile branch line railroad track in southeastern Minnesota and how that abandonment would affect the communities, residents and businesses along its route. Minnesota has about 7,000 miles of rail lines - that figure was 8,000 miles just over ten years ago. Since then, rail line abandonment has increased, and the pace of abandonment is picking up. Railroads operating in the state have requests before the Interstate Commerce Commission that 400 miles of track be scuttled. Minnesota officials say another 300 miles of line may become moribund in the next three years. One of the requests before the ICC is that a 100-mile branch line in Southeastern Minnesota be abandoned. The track follows the root river from La Crescent on the Mississippi River to Ramsey just north of Austin in Mower County. The rail serves 12 communities and about 50 businesses. But Milwaukee Road officials say the line is a loser because there isn't enough traffic. MPR's John Gaddo of KLSE in Rochester visited some of the businesses along the track and prepared this report.
February 10, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews members of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony, and their director William Jones. They share their experiences of performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London, as part of a London School’s Promenade concert series sponsored by the London Times and the BBC.
February 15, 1979 - Poets Joe and Nancy Paddock share their impressions on the sale of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Taunton Minnesota. Also speaking are Vicki Sturgeon and other church members.
February 16, 1979 - MPR reporter Dan Olson speaks with with Gregory Reed of the Afro-American Cultural Arts Center in Minneapolis about the history of Black people in Minnesota.
February 28, 1979 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Willis Anthony, University of Minnesota agricultural economist, who discusses farming, its future, problems and solutions. MPR’s John Ydstie talks about planting. Program also includes report from MPR’s Jennifer O'Neil on set-aside program.
March 2, 1979 - MPR’s Tom Meersman interviews Barbara Boyle, food and nutrition advocate for the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council; and Mary Kennedy, food stamp outreach director for Minnesota's Department of Public Welfare, discuss changes in the food stamp program and the effects on Minnesotans. Allegations of widespread fraud within the program have had administrators and investigators studying both the systems and alternatives to it. Major changes were enacted through the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
March 2, 1979 - The Minnesota House of Representatives is considering a resolution calling for a constitutional convention to pass an amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget. MPR’s Capitol reporter Bob Potter reports on subcommittee hearings on the amendment. Kenneth MacDonald, state representative who authored the bill; and Walter Heller, economist and opponent of the amendment, share their differing views. Supporters claim federal deficits are responsible for inflation and other economic problems. Opponents argue that a rigid requirement of a balanced budget would cripple the federal government's ability to cope with economic recessions or depressions.