Carmen Fields reports that Dr. James Williams (professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) will fast each Wednesday in April outside of the office of the president of MIT. Fields notes that Williams is protesting the lack of diversity among the faculty at MIT. Fields notes that there are fourteen African Americans in a faculty of 900 professors. Fields interviews Williams. Williams talks about the role of professors as role models and the need for a diverse faculty. Williams says that he is trying to encourage minority students to fight for change. Fields's report includes an interview with Ken Campbell (spokesperson, MIT). Campbell talks about the university administration's efforts to hire more minority faculty. Fields' report also includes footage of Williams talking to a group of minority students. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Meg Vaillancourt reports on the annual Black/Jewish Seder supper. Black / Jewish Seder supper

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.

Barbara Barrow-Murray interviews Marcia Ann Gillespie, Editor-in-Chief of Essence magazine about the need for affirmative action to promote women in the workplace.

Deborah Wang reports that the city of Boston's minority set-aside program is facing a court challenge. Wang notes that the set-aside program allows minority-owned businesses to break into their industries by inviting them to participate in municipal projects. Wang interviews Robert McCoy (McCoy Landscaping) about the minority set-aside program. McCoy says that his business could not have survived without the program. Wang notes that the Consortium of Minority Business Enterprises has been formed to protect set-aside laws in Massachusetts. Wang interviews Walter Williams (Contractors' Association of Boston) about set-aside programs. Wang reports that the Consortium gave a hostile reception to John Kerry (US Senator) at a recent meeting. Wang's report includes footage of Kerry addressing a meeting of the Consortium of Minority Business Enterprises. Kerry says that public opinion is not in favor of set-aside programs. Wang notes that Consortium members seem to be united in support of set-aside programs.

Charles Ogletree, President of the Black American Law Student Association, states his group's opinion on the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke case.

Carmen Fields reports that Richard Taylor (Secretary of Transportation and Construction) will preside over the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Construction Project in Boston. Fields notes that Taylor is one of the few African American Republicans in Massachusetts. Fields interviews Taylor. Taylor talks about his reasons for being a Republican and his career in business. Taylor talks about his commitment to affirmative action and his plans to encourage participation by women and minorities in the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project. Taylor says that he has always pushed for fair and equitable opportunities for minority businesses. Fields notes that Taylor says that his appointment signals a commitment to affirmative action on the part of William Weld (Governor of Massachusetts). Fields' report is accompanied by footage of Graylan Ellis-Hagler and unemployed construction workers at a press conference at a construction site in Roxbury. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Alexandra Marks interviews businessmen Derek Jeter and William Singleton on the challenges faced by minority businesses in Boston. African American entrepreneurs

Carolyn Sawyer reports that a group of unemployed laborers are picketing the construction site of the new Post Office in Dudley Square in Roxbury. Sawyer notes that the picketers are demanding that fifty percent of the laborers on the site be residents of the Roxbury community. Sawyer's report includes footage from a press conference held by the picketers at the site. Graylan Ellis-Hagler (Church of the United Community) says that the men will not go away with 'crumbs.' Picketers Ivan Singleton, James Gun, and Ron Nelson also speak out at the press conference. Sawyer reports that Stephen Coyle (Boston Redevelopment Authority) is trying to mediate the dispute. Coyle says that the community is legitimately concerned about the high rate of unemployment among residents. Coyle adds that he expects similar protests during upcoming construction projects. Sawyer reviews the agreement concerning minority participation in the construction project. Sawyer's report is accompanied by footage of the construction site.

David Boeri reports that a group of Harvard Law students occupied the Dean's office overnight to protest the lack of minority faculty at the school. Boeri notes that the students held a rally for their cause this morning. Boeri's report includes footage of Charles Ogletree (Visiting Professor, Harvard Law School) addressing a rally of students outside of the school. Boeri notes that the sit-in is over for now and that student leaders met with James Vorenberg (Dean, Harvard Law School) to discuss their demands for an increase in minority faculty members. Boeri interviews Robert Wilkins (Harvard Black Law Students Association) about the meeting with the Dean. Boeri reads a quote from Vorenberg about the meeting. Boeri reports that the students and the administration disagree about some of the students demands. Boeri reports that the school faculty will need to vote on the students demands in the fall.

Christopher Lydon and Gail Harris host a Ten O'Clock News broadcast. Lydon reports on a budget ceremony held by Ronald Reagan (US President) and on skepticism about the budget by some Republicans and Democrats. The report includes footage of Reagan signing the budget. The lights go out during this report, and Lydon continues to read the news. Harris reports that Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts) is critical of Reagan's budget. Harris' report is accompanied by footage of Dukakis talking about the budget at a press conference. Hope Kelly reports on preparations by the Boston School Committee and Robert Spillane (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) for the next day's hearing in the courtroom of Arthur Garrity (federal judge). Kelly notes that Garrity will decide whether the court should withdraw from its supervisory role over the Boston Public Schools. Kelly's report includes footage from interviews with Robert Spillane (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools), Tom Kiley (pollster), Abigail Browne (Boston School Committee) and Shirley Owens Hicks (President, Boston School Committee). Harris reports on the case of five MDC (Metropolitan District Commission) police officers who have filed reverse discrimination complaints against the MDC. Harris and Lydon read international news headlines. John Thorne reports from Yorkshire, England on the return to work by some striking Yorkshire coal miners. Christy George reports that Gary Hart gave a speech about "new patriotism" at Faneuil Hall in Boston today. George analyzes efforts by the Democratic Party to prepare for the 1988 presidential elections. George's report includes footage of Democratic politicians, including Paul Tsongas (former US Senator), Paul Kirk (Chairman, Democratic National Committee), US Senators John Glenn and Edward Kennedy, and former presidential candidates George McGovern and Walter Mondale. Lydon interviews in-studio guests Roger Brinner (President, Data Resources, Inc.) and Hendrik Hertzberg (former editor, The New Republic) about Reagan's budget and the federal budget deficit. Brinner talks about defense spending and Reagan's opposition to tax increases. Hertzberg analyzes how Reagan's philosophy on government has come to dominate the political agenda. This tape includes a portion of a Ten O'Clock News story from November 26, 1984 featuring Tina Packer (Director, Boston Shakespeare Company) and three actors from the Boston Shakespeare Company. This tape also includes a portion of a Ten O'Clock News broadcast from November 6, 1984. Christopher Lydon talks to in-studio guests Anthony Lewis (New York Times), Ellen Goodman (Boston Globe), Martin Kilson (Harvard University) and Barry Kaplovitz (consultant) about Walter Mondale's performance in the second debate against Ronald Reagan in 1984.