All Things Considered for February 27, 2012 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, February 27, 2012

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Cooking classes for low-income Minnesotans offer healthy, tasty tips
A survey recently found nearly 80 percent of low- and moderate-income families cook evening meals at least five times a week. Two-thirds said they want to learn more about making healthy food. Cooking education programs in Minnesota are ramping up to meet that demand.4:50 p.m.
In Grand Marais, pattern emerges of older men pursuing teen girls
The courthouse shooting in Grand Marais last December shocked the small North Shore town of about 1,000 people. The consequences of the incident, however, are resonating far beyond the violence.5:35 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Romney Hopes 'Native Son' Status Will Help In Mich.
Michigan holds its Republican primary on Tuesday. Though Mitt Romney has a home-state advantage, the former Massachusetts governor has been locked in a tight battle with former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum.
Santorum Treads On Romney Territory In Detroit
Michigan holds its Republican primary on Tuesday. Rick Santorum has forced native son Mitt Romney to campaign hard in Michigan. Santorum hopes to extend his streak of wins in the Midwest.
Improving Economy Changes Primary Race in Ariz.
Arizona took the recession and the housing crisis on the chin. Now that the state's economy is starting to recover, it has Republican presidential candidates talking about other issues.
Elderly Drivers Take Toll On American Roads
Robert Siegel talks with Frank Moretti, director of research at the nonprofit research group TRIP. Moretti recently completed an extensive research study on older drivers, the problems they face on the road, and innovative solutions to address these problems.
To Get Out The Vote, Evangelicals Try Data Mining
The company United In Purpose is going through personal data — from magazine subscriptions to NASCAR ticket purchases — to identify unregistered Christian conservatives and sign them up. UIP hopes to sway the 2012 elections by signing up 5 million new voters.
Letters: On Syria
Robert Siegel and Audie Cornish read emails from listeners about an interview with a Syrian official.
Straight Out Of Flint: Girl Boxer Aims For Olympics
A 16-year-old from Michigan named Claressa Shields is the youngest fighter competing for a place on the first-ever U.S. Olympic women's boxing team. She's facing fighters almost a decade older and much more experienced — but she's beaten the odds before.
Iran Calls Oscar Win A Success Over Israel
On Monday night, the Iranian film A Separation won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. It marks the Islamic Republic's first Academy Award, and earned a rare stamp of approval from the Iranian government, which called it a success over Israel. The Israeli film Footnote was also nominated in the category. Audie Cornish talks to The Washington Post's Thomas Erdbrink in Tehran about the reaction in Iran.
US Strategy In Afghanistan Questioned Amid Violence
Recent events in Afghanistan, including violence since the inadvertent burning of Qurans and the murder of two American officers in Kabul, are challenging core assumptions of US strategy in Afghanistan. The Obama administration has planned to wind down US involvement in the war by training Afghan forces to take over the mission. Whether the Afghans and Americans can even trust each other is now being questioned.
White House: Afghanistan Strategy Won't Change
Robert Siegel talks with White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes about the challenges for the United States in working with the Afghan government and security forces, following the Quran burning incident. Rhodes says the United States continues its partnership with Afghan security forces. Rhodes adds that while there is concern about the anger the incident has stirred in Afghanistan, the White House believes the majority of the Afghan people still do not support the Taliban.