All Things Considered for February 6, 2013 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Looming budget cuts wouldn't hit Minn. as hard as other states, experts say
Experts say sequestration, the across-the-board budget cuts that were part of the 2011 debt limit deal that are scheduled to kick in March 1, wouldn't hit Minnesota as hard as it would other states.3:18 p.m.
Small towns look to Legislature for help with aging school buildings
Two small Minnesota towns are struggling with the same problem: flooding that left the local school buildings in bad shape. In Rushford-Peterson and Moose Lake, the damages were repaired and students are back in school, but officials in both districts say the fixes are temporary.3:22 p.m.
Finding local flavor in Ely's dark winter months
If you love ice fishing or other winter spots, or just looking to embrace winter and have a good time in the deep freeze, Ely's the place to be. Here are some tasty options for when you get there.3:52 p.m.
Red Wing mayor lobbies for silica sand industry
Red Wing's Mayor Dennis Egan has taken a new job as executive director of the newly-created Minnesota Industrial Sand Council. The council is a group of companies with interests in mining silica sand and providing services to the industry. Officials in other southeastern Minnesota cities don't know much yet about the council, but some say best practices should be left to state officials and not an industry group.4:46 p.m.
Extremes drive Iceland-based musician Ben Frost's new work
Australian musician Ben Frost brings his latest challenging, eclectic work to the Amsterdam Bar in St. Paul this weekend.4:51 p.m.
Looming budget cuts wouldn't hit Minn. as hard as other states, experts say
Experts say sequestration, the across-the-board budget cuts that were part of the 2011 debt limit deal that are scheduled to kick in March 1, wouldn't hit Minnesota as hard as it would other states.5:17 p.m.
DNR: No moose hunting season after population drop
A new aerial survey of moose in northeastern Minnesota shows the population has dropped dramatically, prompting the DNR to cancel this year's moose hunting season.5:22 p.m.
Small towns look to Legislature for help with aging school buildings
Two small Minnesota towns are struggling with the same problem: flooding that left the local school buildings in bad shape. In Rushford-Peterson and Moose Lake, the damages were repaired and students are back in school, but officials in both districts say the fixes are temporary.5:43 p.m.
Finding local flavor in Ely's dark winter months
If you love ice fishing or other winter spots, or just looking to embrace winter and have a good time in the deep freeze, Ely's the place to be. Here are some tasty options for when you get there.6:21 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Media Reports Reveal CIA's Drone Base In Saudi Arabia
The details of a secret U.S. drone base in Saudi Arabia, used to launch targeted killings and surveillance missions into Yemen, were revealed Wednesday in several American media outlets. Audie Cornish speaks with Karen DeYoung, national security correspondent for The Washington Post, who authored one of the articles on the program
U.S., Afghanistan At Odds Over Weapons Wish List
As the 2014 deadline looms for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, there's a debate over what kind of military hardware the U.S. will provide in its wake. Afghanistan wants tanks and planes for conventional warfare. But the U.S. says the Afghans need to focus on counterinsurgency.
Bank Robberies On The Decline As Risk Outweighs The Rewards
Audie Cornish talks to Jack Nicas, staff reporter at the Wall Street Journal, and why bank robberies have been on the decline.
For Greeks, Painful Cuts Keep Tearing At The Social Fabric
Three years of austerity measures are hitting ordinary Greeks hard. Unemployment is nearly 27 percent and rising, and the once dependable safety net of welfare benefits is being pulled in. Further cutbacks and tax hikes are about to kick in.
Monopoly Fans Dump Iron Token For New Cat Piece
The board game Monopoly will no longer include the iron token. After a month of voting, fans have chosen a cat as its replacement. Players will start seeing the new feline visitor on their Monopoly boards by fall of this year.
Even In Blue Minnesota, Gun Control Seems A Tough Sell
Minnesota has a Democratic governor, two Democratic senators, and Democrats control both houses of its Legislature. President Obama went there to rally support for his proposals to reduce gun violence. But even in Minnesota, there's considerable resistance to placing further restrictions on guns.
Debate Rages On Even As Research Ban On Gun Violence Ends
President Obama has ordered an end to a 16-year-old ban on federal funding of research on guns and health. But the political controversy that led to the ban in the first place is far from over.
Virginia Proposes Alternative Currency In Case Of Federal Reserve Collapse
Robert Siegel speaks to Virginia Delegate Robert Marshall about why he feels that the commonwealth needs to have other currency available in case anything happens to the Federal Reserve System.
Letters: Hand Dryers
Audie Cornish and Robert Siegel read emails from listeners about hand dryers.
The 'Ancient Vibration' Of Parlor Music, Revived By Two Generations
A voice from a bygone era, Lena Hughes was never very famous outside of her native Missouri. The only album she ever recorded has been saved from near-oblivion, and it acts as a kind of time capsule.