Carmen Fields reports that the Ballot Commission must determine whether several dozen signatures included in the nominating papers of Bill Owens (candidate for State Senate) are valid. Fields notes that if the signatures are invalidated, Owens' name will not appear on the primary ballot for the second Suffolk County seat, the only district ever to be held by an African American. Fields interviews Owens about his nomination papers and about the race. Fields' report includes footage of Owens at a hearing of the Ballot Commission. Fields reports that the name of Owens's main rival for the seat, Royal Bolling, Sr. (State Senator) will not appear on the ballot, because Bolling did not file nominating papers on time. Fields interviews Bolling, Sr. about his failure to file nomination papers on time. Fields notes the ongoing political competition between the Owens and Bolling families. She adds that both candidates deny that the rivalry between the families is serious. Fields' report includes footage of Owens and Bolling, Sr. at a campaign debate in 1986 and footage of Bolling, Sr. at a legislative hearing. Fields' report also includes footage of Shirley Owens Hicks (sister of Bill Owens) at a Boston School Committee meeting and footage of Royal Bolling, Jr. at a press conference with Byron Rushing (State Representative) and Andrew Jones (community activist). This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Hope Kelly interviews Barbara Arnwine about housing desegregation in Boston. Barbara Arnwine

David Boeri reports that the state of Massachusetts has lost a seat in the US House of Representatives because of a decline in the population according to the 1990 census. Boeri notes that Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston ) and others are calling for a recount because they believe that the census undercounts urban residents. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of census workers going from door to door. Boeri reports on speculation that Joe Early (US Congressman) may retire and on speculation that a redistricting plan would force congressmen Chester Atkins and Barney Frank to run against one another. Boeri's report is accompanied by a photo of Early and by footage of Atkins and Frank. Boeri reports that William Weld (governor of Massachusetts) has proposed a redistricting plan under which the city of Boston is represented by one congressman. Boeri's report includes footage from an interview with Peter Forman (state representative). Forman says that suburban areas are unfairly represented and that the city of Boston would represent a 'minority seat.' Boeri interviews Jim Brett (state represtentative). Brett discusses options for possible redistricting plans. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of Weld. Boeri reports that the proposal to limit Boston to one Congressional seat will probably fail.

In Do I Have A Right?, you’ll run your own firm of lawyers who specialize in constitutional law. You’ll need to decide whether potential clients “have a right,” and if so, match them with the right lawyer. The more clients you serve and the more cases you win, the faster your law firm will grow! Can you think on your feet? You're going to have to!

Barbara Barrows interviews Gretchen Wortham after her recent appointment to Station Manager of WILD Radio, who discusses the role of minority women in management positions and the difference in respect and responsibility accorded to White counterparts.

Most socially significant issues from America's past were brought before the nation's courts. Subject introduces the themes and events of American law since 1787, focusing on three recurring themes in American public life: liberty, equality, and property. Readings consist mostly of original court cases, especially from the US Supreme Court. Subject also focuses on the historical connections between cases and broader social, political, and cultural trends.

Christy George reports that shifts in the state's population have forced the Massachusetts House of Representatives to draw up a redistricting plan for the state's legislative districts. George notes that Massachusetts' cities have shrunk while the suburbs have grown. George reports that Jim Brett (Massachusetts House of Representatives) has been charged with drafting a redistricting plan. George's report includes footage of Brett in his office and footage of Brett explaining the plan. George interviews Brett. George reports that Boston and Cambridge will each lose one seat while the South Shore and Cape Cod will each gain a seat. George notes that the Republican Party and minorities are protective of their legislative districts and that both groups seem to be happy with the plan. George's report includes footage from interviews with Peter Forman (State Representative) and Byron Rushing (State Representative). George notes that Brett and Peter Vellucci (State Representative) will lose their districts and be forced to run against other incumbent legislators. George's report includes footage from interviews with Vellucci and Paul White (State Representative). George reports that the legislature has voted in favor of the plan. George's report includes footage of George Keverian (Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives) presiding over the proceedings in the House chambers.

Brenda Verner comments on women's rights movement. Program consists of a number of magazine-style segments, including a Barbara Barrow interview with Marge Schiller and Ruth Benjamin (both of the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women) on the commission's work as it relates to Third World women, two studio performances from the 'The Black Nativity' by vocalists from the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, an abbreviated 'Open Platform' debate moderated by Melvin Moore on whether or not Third World women should participate in the women's movement (with debaters Brenda Verner (a media analyst) and Michele Wallace (a lecturer at New York University) and panelists Leah Fletcher (reporter for the Boston Herald American) and freelance writer Jan Gadson), a Barbara Barrow interview with Elma Lewis, Director of Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts; the 'Say Brother News' with Karen Holmes, Margaret Tarter, Leah Fletcher, Sonny Joe White, Eric Sampedro, and Milly Kiung, and the 'Community Calendar.' Fletcher's report features an interview with sociologist Joyce Ladner, who recently spoke at Boston University about the Black family; Tarter's report features an interview with Margaret Ashurst, Director of Community Affairs, OXFAM America's Boston (OXFAM is a famine relief organization). Produced by Barbara Barrow. Directed by Eric Himes.

Subject considers constitutional rights, processes, civil rights and liberties, and criminal procedure. Focus on Supreme Court case law.