Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• DM&E project steaming ahead
  Senator Norm Coleman says he's ready to block federal appointments if necessary over the DM&E railroad expansion. Coleman joined the Rochester Coalition in protesting the Federal Railroad Administration's latest approval of the project. The decision means the railroad's request for a $2.3 billion federal loan must be decided within three months.5:19 p.m.
• First Jesuit high school set to open in Minnesota
  Cristo Rey High School will be part of a network of urban Catholic high schools across the country that places low-income students in corporate internships.5:23 p.m.
• High school transfer students may have to take a year off from sports
  High school athletes who want to switch schools may have to take a year off from their sport to do so. The Minnesota State High School League's board of directors approved a change in student transfer rules today. Currently, students can switch schools and immediately participate in varsity programs at their new school. But, if High School League member schools approve the Board's decision next month, some transfer students would have to wait to play. Joining me now is the president of the Minnesota High School League's board of directors, Jaime Sherwood. He's the activities director at Wayzata High School.5:49 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Menotti, Cultural Giant, Dies at 95
  Composer Gian Carlo Menotti, composer of the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors and founder of the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, died today at a hospital in Monaco, according to a statement from his son. Menotti was 95. Nova Safo has a remembrance.
• Move to Criminalize Spanking Sparks Questions
  A California lawmaker is expected to propose a bill that would make California the first state to criminalize spanking a child under age 4. The bill would face an uncertain future in the legislature. But it has already raised interesting questions about corporal punishment.
• Men Accused of Bomb Hoax Plead Not Guilty
  One day after advertising devices alarmed Boston authorities enough that they shut down parts of the city, two men accused of perpetrating a hoax plead not guilty to the charges. At a press conference held after their court appearance, Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, seemed amused.
• Resolution Protesting Bush's Iraq Plan Gets Support
  Two senior members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have produced a resolution opposing President Bush's plan in Iraq, a resolution that might get enough bipartisan support to overcome a filibuster.
• America's Next Top Prostitute?
  If women want to marry a rich man, is that a form of prostitution? That may lead to a further question: why not just take up work in prostitution? A recent survey of prostitutes and police showed that the field has much to recommend it, and one main negative: violence.
• What If Voters Could Vote for the First Family?
  It can be hard to avoid being bitten by the politics bug if you live in Washington, D.C. That being said, here is an inside-the-beltway view of what America might look like if voters could choose the First Family.
• Declining Oil Prices Could Stunt Biofuel Work
  2006 was a very good time for the energy business. In July, crude oil prices hit $77 a barrel, setting off a frenzy in the oil patch — and fueling research into alternative fuels. But some of that enthusiasm may cool off now that oil prices have retreated by about $20 a barrel.
• Comedy and the Family: Demetri Martin
  Years after he dropped out of law school to pursue comedy, Demetri Martin is a successful stand-up comedian and regular contributor on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. But what do Demetri's mother, Lillian, and grandmother, Dinah, think about that? Robert Siegel talks with Demetri, Lillian and Dinah.
• Appeals Court Hears Al-Marri's Request for Access
  Federal appeals court judges vigorously challenge both government and defense lawyers at a hearing for Ali al-Marri, the only enemy combatant still in custody in the United States. Al-Marri is seeking the right to challenge his detention before a federal judge.
• Levin Helps Boost Iraq Resolution's Chances
  Robert Siegel talks with Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), who has agreed to sign on to a bill along with Sen. John Warner (R-VA) expressing disapproval of President Bush's "surge strategy" in Iraq. But some Democrats say the bill could inhibit more critical legislation that could come later.
• State Dept. Delays Intelligence Report on Iran
  The Bush administration, which has often accused Iran of meddling in Iraq and supporting Shiite extremists, has yet to offer any solid proof of its claims. The State Department had promised to make public its case against Iran, but officials are now determining how solid U.S. intelligence is.
• U.N. Prepares to Release Report on Climate Change
  Friday morning, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will release its fourth assessment about the science of climate change. The consensus statement will serve as the most authoritative benchmark on this sometimes contentious issue.
• Sparing the Child the Rod
  Parent Caroline Langston explains her decision not to spank her child.
• Fuel Economy Has Backers; Details to Come
  President Bush has surprised skeptics by proposing dramatically tougher fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. Starting in 2010, gas mileage would have to improve by 4 percent each year — in most cases, that's a one-mile-per-gallon increase every year.
• Letters: Interviewing Bush, and Rush Limbaugh
  Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listeners' letters and emails. We hear comments from the great number of listeners who write to complain about Juan Williams' interview with President Bush. We also hear feedback on a story about Rush Limbaugh from our "Crossing the Divide" series.

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