All Things Considered for June 20, 2007 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

No easing up on tuition hikes, MnSCU board says
Minnesota State College and Universities trustees on Wednesday resisted pressure by student groups to further reduce tuition increases next year.5:21 p.m.
Proposed change in bankruptcy law could thwart foreclosures
Given opposition from as powerful a lobbying group as the American Bankers Association, it's unclear how far the proposed changes to bankruptcy law will advance.5:24 p.m.
Health commissioner at center of controversy over cancer data
Iron Range lawmakers are calling for the resignation of Minnesota's health commissioner. They claim Dianne Mandernach has lost public confidence by withholding information about cancer deaths among miners. Gov. Pawlenty is standing by his embattled commissioner.5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Weapons Claims Revive Calls for Action Against Iran
Iran continues to make progress building its uranium enrichment facility as claims spread that the nation is sending conventional weapons to Iraq and Afghanistan that are being used against U.S. troops — sparking calls for military action.
Support Groups for Soldiers' Families Struggle
Family readiness groups, or FRGs, as they're known in the military, were created to support the loved ones of soldiers at war. But across the country, those groups are getting mixed reviews at best. Many FRGs have been fractured or destroyed by bickering — and critics say military leaders haven't done enough to cool the tensions and provide adequate financial and moral support. It's a problem that easily spills over onto the battlefield as families at home share their problems with soldiers in Iraq.
Weighing In on America's Mideast Stance
NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr shares his take on the American position regarding Israel and the Palestinians.
Gum Arabic: Sudan's Miracle Commodity
Gum arabic is used for medicinal purposes and in soft drinks, yet is nutritious and nonfat. One Sudanese businessman has even called it "an endowment from God."
Lenders Pull Assets as Hedge Funds Near Collapse
Investors in the bond market are nervously watching developments at Bear Stearns. Two of the firm's hedge funds are experiencing heavy losses as problems in the sub-prime mortgage market worsen. Merrill Lynch has apparently decided to pull the plug on its investments in the two funds, which is forcing Bear Stearns to scramble to find additional financing.
Chicago Aims to Stockpile Affordable Rental Housing
A Chicago group has launched what's being called one of the country's most comprehensive preservation programs. It plans to preserve 75,000 units of affordable rental housing in Cook County between now and 2020.
The Fastest Racehorse You've Never Heard Of
Got Country Grip, a Paint horse from Texas, might be the fastest racehorse you've never heard of. He's undefeated, with 14 consecutive wins. And he is closing in on the record of 16 wins in a row, held by two thoroughbreds.
China Builds a Road to Everest Ahead of Olympics
China is scheduled to begin building a road up the side of Mount Everest next week, replacing a rough path that climbers have used for years. Chinese officials say the road will help bring visitors to the mountain. It also will be used in the Olympic torch relay in advance of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
At Camp, Teens Blow Stuff Up, As They're Told
Teens at explosives camp learn how to use dynamite to obliterate watermelons and blast rocks from the depths of mine shafts. Their leader, a Missouri professor, hopes to recruit high school students for careers in mine engineering by teaching them how to properly use dynamite, TNT and plastic bombs at his weeklong camp.
Democrats Tout Iraq Withdrawal at D.C. Forum
The democratic presidential hopefuls courted their party's liberal base this week at what has become a required stop on the campaign trail — the annual Take Back America conference, where thousands of liberal activists gathered in Washington, D.C.