Attending the hearing were Zachary Zoul, city administrator of the city of St. Peter, with Randal LeNeave as counsel and Patricia Plys, editor of the St. Peter Herald; and Michael Larson, editor of the Free Press.
Ron Edwards appeared for the grievant. Tim McGuire, managing editor, Peg Meier, reporter, and Lou Gelfand, reader representative, appeared for the Star Tribune. About 20 visitors attended the hearing. Those speaking on behalf of the complaint were Mahmoud El-Kati, Carol Ann White, Dr. James T. Shelton, Jusef Mgeni, and Nellie Stone Johnson.
On June 15, 1987, on its late afternoon television program, “Newsday,” WCCO-TV presented the story of a local business executive who spends his recreational time riding freight trains. Burlington Northern (BN) filed a grievance with the Council claiming the presentation was irresponsible journalism because it glamorized an illegal, highly dangerous activity. The Council viewed a video replay of the report and had available a written transcript of the accompanying dialogue.
Appearing for the school district was its superintendent, Roger Doucet, accompanied by two of the concerned parents. Don Casey, executive editor, appeared for the newspaper.
Veda Ponikvar, publisher of the Chisholm Free Press-Tribune Press, did not attend but responded to complainant and to the Council in writing and met with the Council’s executive director in Chisholm on March 2, 1988. Complainant Edward Tekautz attended the hearing.
Grievant Nancy Barsness complains that the Pope County Tribune failed to give fair and adequate coverage of a sex discrimination claim against Watkins Aircraft Support Products, Inc. (Watkins or WASP), a light manufacturing firm located in Glenwood, Minnesota.