December 2, 1974 - An assembly of over 2000 Jehovah?s Witnesses was held in Rochester. David Beagler, overseer for six states, talks about the Bible?s prophecy of a world governed by God, not man. He comments on a possible world war, nuclear holocaust and food shortages. Beagler says the world can provide food for many more people. There are four billion now and one third of them are starving.
November 30, 1974 - Dick Rothman, executive director of the Minnesota Association for Retarded Citizens explains the need for sheltered workshops, work activity centers, and education programs for business and labor of mentally retarded workers. He says with a bit more help and training these individuals can lead productive lives in society rather than sit institutions. He wants funding to improve state hospital conditions, which are shocking, and for startup money for group homes for the retarded, which face problems with zoning restrictions. As the retarded have moved into society in the past five or so years the issue of guardianship restrictions on civil rights needs to be addressed.
November 29, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on how layoffs are bringing about charges of sexual and racial discrimination. Civil rights group explain that laying off employees with least seniority mean laying of minorities and women.
November 10, 1974 - Dr. Archie Silver, Professor of Psychiatry at the New York University medical center. Dr. Silver focuses on issues and remedys for students unable to read. Dr. Silver discusses the percentage of people unable to read. Some sixth graders read no higher than a second grade level. Major interests are in the prevention of reading disabilities. They believe that reading should begin no later than kindergarten. Perhaps 10 percent have neuralogical signs that create delayed abilities. Programs for the detection of disabilities and programs to help teach those children to read are being set up all over the New York area.
October 6, 1974 - Dr. Philip McNairy, the head bishop of the Minnesota Episcopal Diocese, discusses the role of the Episcopal church in the aftermath of the Wounded Knee incident. Dr. McNairy also discusses relations between Native Americans and non-native populations in both the rural and urban areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota.