Orchestral maneuvers in the Twin Cities

SPCO Concertmaster Stephen Copes
From left, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Concertmaster Stephen Copes, and violinists Elsa Nillson and Ruggero Allifranchini.
Photo courtesy Sarah Rubenstein

Today on the MPR News Update: Tim Pawlenty won't run for the US Senate anytime soon. The University of North Dakota is pioneering the flight safety of aircraft that don't have pilots in the cockpit. There's more on the local tussle over live classical music. And, the Twin Cities get funky.

Orchestral maneuvers
With time running out for contract negotiations at the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, all sides are trying to make their cases to the public.

No more 'Sam's Club' Republican
The Financial Services Roundtable , one of the most powerful banking lobbies in the country, says that Tim, Pawlenty will lead the group starting in November. The former Minnesota governor is also stepping down as co-chairman of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign to lead the Roundtable.

Drone control
NASA is testing technology developed at the University of North Dakota that could help unmanned aircraft share the airspace safely. The challenge is to ensure the unmanned aircraft can avoid collisions with other planes in the sky.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Better arts fund oversight
The Minnesota State Arts Board should do a better job monitoring the artists and arts groups that receive Legacy Amendment funds, according to a new report by the Legislative Auditor.

Taking another bow
No one knew quite what to expect. The Valdons, a 1960s funk and soul band from Minneapolis, hadn't sung together in years. But on a recent night in a dimly lit office building basement, Eric Foss was about to find out. It's all part of a project called "Twin Cities Funk and Soul: Lost R&B Groves from Minneapolis / St. Paul 1964 to 1979."

Bachmann airs first TV ads
A day after her Democratic opponent Jim Graves put two television spots on the air, Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann is striking back with an ad of her own. The 30-second "No Room for Us" ad paints Graves as a big spender.

Massive melting
Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace and scope. Walt Meier of the National Snow and Ice Data Center joined The Daily Circuit today to talk about the implications of the news. Heather Conley, senior fellow and director of the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, also joined the discussion.

Patrolman James Sackett's killing
Author William Swanson says he was drawn to write about the events of May 22, 1970 in a new book because it "was arguably the most shocking event in a period of great change; social and economic and political change that happened in St. Paul."

Is global warming inevitable?
Click on the headline and take part in the poll. Then read about the record-breaking pace of melting taking place in the Arctic and listen to a discussion about the matter at The Daily Circuit.

MPR photos of the week
Rising Minneapolis hip-hop star Brother Ali stopped by the MPR studios. Lynn Rogers is still feeding the bears near Ely. The Minnesota Lynx finally get a trip to the White House. And a Twin Cities business has figured out how to preserve prairie plant species for a profit. That and more in our photos of the week.

Arsenic and rice
Many Minnesota parents may be wondering whether they should stop feeding their children rice after a report this week revealed that inorganic arsenic is present in dozens of rice products, including infant cereal. Dr. Esther Krych, a pediatrician and co-editor of the Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Year, said it's too early to know exactly what the findings might mean for human health.

Does hockey matter (to the economy)?
Mayor Chris Coleman worries labor strife within the National Hockey League could damage St. Paul's economy. But a closer look at the math casts doubt on the city's claims about the economic impact of the Minnesota Wild, which has already seen two preseason home games canceled because of a contract dispute between its league and its players' union.

Eau Claire rocks
Most local music fans know that Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is just one of many artists to come out of the surprisingly vibrant music scene in Eau Claire, Wis. The Local Show on our sister station The Current is spending some time this Sunday checking out the offerings. DJ David Campbell discussed the show with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.