All Things Considered for April 18, 2008 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Friday, April 18, 2008

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Maltese Ambassador visits Minnesota, Iowa
The Republic of Malta is one of the newest members of the expanding European Union.4:49 p.m.
A parade of empty homes
One St. Paul neighborhood is fighting the wave of foreclosures by promoting vacant houses to homebuyers.5:20 p.m.
Earthquake hits Midwest; no injuries reported
People across a large swath of the nation's midsection felt a earthquake this morning.5:24 p.m.
The joy of pipa
Gao Hong is the master of the ancient Chinese lute known as the pipa. Since arriving in Minnesota, she's taken the instrument into surprising new territories by collaborating with musicians from a diverse range of cultures and traditions. She's making her Carnegie Hall debut this month.5:46 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Movie Politics: Who'd Play White House Hopefuls?
The presidential campaign has provided its share of dramatic Hollywood moments. Pennsylvania voters and NPR movie critic Bob Mondello offer suggestions on who would be cast in an actual big-screen movie.
The Apatow Factor: Funny and Prolific to a Fault?
Over the last few years, Judd Apatow had a hand in a host of Hollywood projects — Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Drillbit Taylor, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, to name a few. Is he spreading himself too thin?
Helen Hunt, Throwing Herself into Her Latest Role
She's been acting for nearly 40 years; now she's taking a stab at directing, producing and writing. And she's doing all that — as well as acting — in one film: Then She Found Me. She tells NPR why.
Clinton Clings to Lead in Pa. Polls
Sen. Hillary Clinton's lead in Pennsylvania over Sen. Barack Obama has narrowed in recent polls. E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and David Brooks of The New York Times talk about where the race stands.
States React to Court's Lethal Injection Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that Kentucky's form of lethal injection is constitutional. Now states can move forward with executions for the first time since September. But in practice, the outlook for executions varies from state to state.
Letters: Covering the Pope
Listeners weigh in on coverage of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States, his conversation with victims of clergy sex abuse and his bright red shoes.
Tibet Protests Stir Chinese Nationalism
Internet death threats and attacks on property greeted at least one person's efforts to mediate between protesters on opposite sides of the China-Tibet issue. The official Xinhua News Agency is urging Chinese to harness their nationalistic fervor for constructive ends.
College Aid Director Discusses Student Loan Woes
Students and families face stiff challenges as more banks withdraw from the private student-loan business. Bill Spiers, director of Financial Aid at Tallahassee Community College in Florida, outlines ways that schools are trying to adjust.
Robot Games Draw Big Crowd to Georgia Dome
The debut of the Robotics Competition Championship at Atlanta's Georgia Dome has drawn teams from around the nation — including 46 from Michigan alone. Michigan teams have won five of the last six national championships in robotics.
Film Ad Campaign Tough on 'Sarah Marshalls'
The ad campaign for the new film Forgetting Sarah Marshall includes big-city billboards with slogans that attack the title character. The ads are turning heads, especially among the many REAL Sarah Marshalls. Three Sarahs talk about life in an unexpected spotlight.