All Things Considered for June 23, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Jon Hallberg talks on the new tobacco bill signed by Obama
President Obama has signed legislation that will place more federal restrictions on tobacco. Dr. Jon Hallberg, our regular medical analyst, stopped by to talk more about the bill.4:45 p.m.
Ash borer pesticide has birders concerned
The discovery of the emerald ash borer in St. Paul has not only gotten tree lovers concerned about their trees, it's also prompting bird lovers to worry about what the chemicals used to treat the trees might do to their favorite animals.5:20 p.m.
Teach For America program expands to Twin Cities
A national teaching program that targets low-income school districts announced on Tuesday it will expand its program to the Twin Cities.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Ensign Affair Shakes Up Nevada GOP
Sen. John Ensign told his Republican colleagues on Tuesday that he's sorry for having an affair with a married staffer. They say they accepted his apology. But the scandal is taking a toll on the senator's party back home.
Meditations, Digressions, From A Crossword Addict
Though crossword advocates sometimes credit the puzzles with staving off dementia, former NPR arts and culture correspondent — and longtime puzzler — Dean Olsher says it's more honest to think of them as a habit, like smoking.
Moby Returns With A Thoughtful Vengeance
A full decade after his landmark album Play, techno musician Moby has released an album called Wait for Me. Music critic Robert Christgau thinks it's almost worthy of its great predecessor.
Obama Ups Iran Rhetoric
In the fourth formal news conference of his presidency, President Obama said he was "appalled and outraged" by Iran's violent reaction to protests, but he resisted describing potential consequences for the regime's actions. Obama also talked about the cost of health care reform and the role of a public insurance plan.
Shape Of Health Care Overhaul Unclear
Debate is intensifying in Washington over the Obama administration's health care ambitions. While President Obama has made it clear he wants to use the power of the federal government to make health care available and affordable for all Americans, what exactly such a plan would look like is less clear.
Metro Was Warned Over Aging Fleet
Transportation safety authorities say they had warned Washington's Metro system to upgrade its old subway cars, but the transit system did not do so. The age of the equipment is one aspect of the investigation into Monday's crash in which one train smashed into the rear of another stationary train. At least nine people were killed.
Democrats Occupy New York Senate Chamber
The battle continues in the New York State Senate, where Democrats actually locked themselves into the chamber Tuesday afternoon to prevent the Republicans from taking control. They say they will let Republicans in before the special session ordered by Gov. David Paterson.
Washington State Makes Painful Budget Cuts
Washington State faced a $9 billion deficit this year. It managed to close the gap by a number of painful decisions. Major cuts were made to higher education and health care for the poor.
Wisconsin Faces Tough Budget Choices
Wisconsin faces a $6.6 billion state budget deficit over the next two years. To deal with the shortfall, the governor has proposed an income tax increase for people who earn more than $225,000 a year and reducing the state's capital gains tax exemption. The holdup now is over how to pay for roads.
Magazine's Clandestine Look At Life In North Korea
Underground magazine Rimjingang is undermining the North Korean government's efforts to control the flow of information out of the country. Its undercover North Korean citizen journalists report on topics banned in the official press and smuggle their work out for publication.