Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Exploring democracy and citizenship through art
  What exactly does art have to do with democracy?4:45 p.m.
• Minnesota soldier killed in Iraq
  A soldier who grew up in Wisconsin and recently moved to Minnesota has died in Iraq.5:26 p.m.
• Binge drinking is not so new
  In spite of the headlines about the recent deaths of several college students due to binge drinking, it seems drinking on college campuses hasn't changed all that much over the last 20 years. But the serious problems that come with heavy drinking go beyond the tragedies that make the headlines.5:35 p.m.
• What is it about college that makes people drink more?
  All of the high-profile alcohol-related deaths in the last few months have involved college students, or young people preparing to return to college. Colleges have long struggled with the problem of heavy drinking by students and so far, have had little success combating it.5:41 p.m.
• The Midwest is the worst for binge drinking
  Binge drinking is more common in Minnesota, Wisconsin and other upper Midwestern states than in any other part of the country. Experts aren't sure why that is.5:46 p.m.
• Binge drinking and the family's role
  Stories of young people excessively drinking -- be it at a rural bar or a college party -- prompt a lot of people to ask, "Where are the parents?"5:52 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Bank of America Acquires Countrywide for $4 Billion
  Bank of America announces it will acquire Countrywide in a stock deal valued at $4 billion. Countrywide, the nation's largest mortgage lender, had few options after losses related to the subprime mortgage crisis. Analysts believe the company faced bankruptcy if it didn't work out a deal to be acquired.
• Cleveland Sues Big Banks Over Subprime Fallout
  The City of Cleveland on Friday filed a lawsuit against 21 banks involved in subprime loans in the city. The city argues that the lenders created a public nuisance by selling high volumes of subprime loans in an economy and housing market that was not as strong as in other parts of the country. The city argues the banks should have known many of the loans would go bad. Mhari Saito of member station WCPN reports.
• Many Think Mafia Involved in Naples Trash Crisis
  The Italian city of Naples is suffocating under mountains of garbage. All the local dumps are full, and many Neapolitans, including author Roberto Saviano, believe it is the Camorra, a mafia organization, that is behind the crisis.
• Foreign Policy Experts Ponder Geopolitical Future
  Foreign policy experts Nina Hachigian and Mona Sutphen got their starts in the Clinton administration. In The Next American Century, they lay out some dos and don'ts for America moving forward. Michele Norris talks with the authors about their book.
• Bush Arrives in Kuwait for a Thank-You Visit
  After three days in Israel and the West Bank, President Bush arrived in Kuwait. His spokeswoman says he's thanking Kuwait for hosting U.S. troops. This visit is part of the weeklong trip for the president. He'll begin to shift the focus away from Middle East peace to regional security: Iraq and Iran.
• America's Past, Present and Future in the Gulf
  Michele Norris talks with Robert Scales, a retired Army major general, about the past, present and future of American military deployments to the Persian Gulf.
• U.S., Iran Release Videos of Hormuz Incident
  Tensions between the United States and Iran have again surfaced. Each country has released vastly different videos showing what they say captures an incident in the Strait of Hormuz last Sunday morning between American Navy warships and fast boats of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
• Gas Cloud Headed for Milky Way Collision
  Astronomers have discovered a vast cloud of hydrogen gas aiming straight for our galaxy. It will collide with the Milky Way in a mere 20 million years and likely trigger a burst of new star formations and stellar explosions.
• Extra Golden Members Stranded in Kenya
  When violence erupted after the disputed elections in Kenya, the turmoil has disrupted business and food supplies. Two Kenyan members of the international rock band Extra Golden have been severely affected by the riots, and now its American counterparts and fans are trying to help.
• FBI Agent: Lack of Expertise Stymies War on Terror
  In an exclusive interview, FBI agent Bassem Youssef says that the bureau lacks agents with the necessary know-how to effectively combat terrorism. As a result, he says it is targeting the wrong people and violating Americans' civil liberties.

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