All Things Considered for June 4, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Art Hounds: Philip K. Dick, Black Label Movement, and air guitar
This week, the Art Hounds are checking out a play about sci-fi icon Philip K. Dick, dancing from Minneapolis-based "Black Label Company," and an air guitar competition.4:44 p.m.
Underground in Emily, a mother lode of manganese
According to mineral experts, one of the largest high-grade deposits of manganese in North America is located on a five-acre site at the edge of Emily, Minn. Manganese is a mineral used in steel and aluminum production.4:51 p.m.
Federals expected to aid emerald ash borer fight
Minnesota is slated to receive federal aid to help battle the emerald ash borer, a beetle that has infected dozens of trees, Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced this week.4:54 p.m.
Full text of President Obama's speech in Egypt
The full text of Pres. Obama's speech in Cairo.5:06 p.m.
Ellison praises Obama's speech on Islam
Rep. Keith Ellison, one of two Muslims in Congress, says President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world is as important for its symbolism as anything else.5:15 p.m.
3 prominent DFLers consider run for governor
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak appeared at an event at the State Capitol today, and all three said they're considering whether to run.5:20 p.m.
Former AG Mike Hatch talks about the gubernatorial race
And, as more candidates join Minnesota's gubernatorial race, we wanted to find out how those politicians are likely spending their time now, about a year and a half before election day. To find out, we called Mike Hatch. He is the former state Attorney General and was the DFL party nominee for governor in 2006.5:22 p.m.
Opponents file civil rights complaint against Central Corridor
An organization representing residents and businesses along University Avenue in St. Paul has filed a federal civil rights complaint over the Central Corridor light rail project.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Rural Layoffs: Losing A Grip On Retirement
As manufacturing plants leave rural towns, many workers close to retirement are left with diminished retirement savings and few options for new work. Randy Badman, 60, of DeWitt, Neb., was laid off three times in four years — and isn't sure how he'll fund his eventual retirement.
Tiananmen Mothers Press For Answers, 20 Years On
Grass-roots activism has grown in China in recent years. But the demands of one group continue to fall on deaf ears: the Tiananmen Mothers. The parents of children who were killed 20 years ago in the crackdown on democracy protests want a full public accounting of the incident.
Do Apes Laugh When Tickled?
Apes often make weird sounds when they're tickled, and a new study says these noises are related to human laughter. The researchers think laughter may have evolved from a primordial, laughlike sound made by a common ancestor of apes and humans.
Obama Seeks To Mend Ties With Muslim World
In a wide-ranging speech in Cairo Thursday, President Obama called for a new beginning in relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world. He urged Americans to set aside negative stereotypes about Islam and asked Muslims to take a more accurate view of the U.S.
Mixed Reaction In Cairo To Obama Speech
President Obama's pledge to set U.S. relations with the Muslim world on a new footing was welcomed at Cairo University, the venue for his much-anticipated address to the Muslim world. Reaction to his remarks on various political issues was mixed, however.
At Video Games Expo, Focus Is On Ease Of Play
It's the last day of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, in Los Angeles. Microsoft and Sony both showed off new "motion controls" they hope will compete with the Nintendo Wii. Ricardo Torres, editor in chief of gamespot.com, says the trends at the expo were accessibility and customization.
U.S. Envoy Tours Pakistan Refugee Camp
U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke visited camps in Pakistan for those displaced by the government's offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley. Some 3 million Pakistanis have fled the war zone. Holbrooke expressed sympathy to those displaced by the fighting.
Actor David Carradine, Star Of 'Kung Fu,' Dies
Actor David Carradine was found dead Thursday in a Bangkok, Thailand, hotel room. The actor was best known for his leading role in the 1970s television series Kung Fu. Carradine was in Thailand shooting a movie, one of well over a 100 filmed during a long, eclectic career.
Retirement When Union Pension Collapses
Gregg Trunell, 43, began planning for an early retirement even before he began his career. Over the years, he and his wife put the maximum amount into their 401(k) plans, thousands more into IRAs and set 2011 as a target date for retiring. But now all bets are off. Trunell's union pension fund took a hit when the stock market plunged.
Derrick Rose Woes Highlights Hoops' Problems
The University of Memphis men's basketball team won a record 38 games and made it all the way to the championship contest in 2008. Now, that triumphant run may be in jeopardy. The NCAA alleges the star of that team, guard Derrick Rose, didn't take his own SAT to get into Memphis. The case points out the special problems confronting men's basketball.