All Things Considered for September 5, 2007 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

DM&E sale may move expansion forward
The Canadian Pacific Railway is buying the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad. The $2.5 billion deal was announced Wednesday in Sioux Falls. Officials with both companies say the merger is a good for their customers and for the region.4:50 p.m.
Pipaashaa means thirst
Concerns about industrial waste and the havoc it's causing in impoverished communities around the world is at the heart of a new dance that's being performed in Minneapolis this weekend.4:54 p.m.
Union workers go on strike at University of Minnesota
Union leaders claim significant disruptions in work operations as positions went vacant. University officials maintain the affect of the strike is minimal.5:20 p.m.
Some professors take classes off campus to avoid picket lines
Cafes, churches and bookstores are becoming classrooms as professors move classes off campus to accommodate students who don't want to cross AFSCME picket lines.5:24 p.m.
Senator arrested at airport may have grounds for withdrawing guilty plea
Several legal experts say that while it's typically difficult to get a court to throw out a guilty plea, there are unique circumstances in Sen. Larry Craig's case that give him an advantage.5:45 p.m.
Special interests pressure Pawlenty to relent on special session
Several groups say immediate action is needed to prevent another disaster like the 35W bridge collapse. But the latest negotiations between the governor and DFL legislative leaders indicate transportation funding might have to wait until next year's regular session.5:52 p.m.
Parties clash in Congress over response to Minn. bridge collapse
House Democrats clashed with Republicans and the Bush administration Wednesday over whether to raise gas taxes to pay for safer bridges in response to last month's deadly collapse in Minneapolis.5:56 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Arrests in Germany Reportedly Foil Terrorism Plots
German police Wednesday announced the arrest of three men suspected of planning terrorist attacks. Some reports say they were targeting the U.S. military base at Ramstein in western Germany, and the busy Frankfurt International Airport.
Israel Weighs a Response to Gaza Rocket Fire
The Israeli government ruled out a large-scale military response to ongoing Palestinian rocket fire, but is considering cutting water and electricity to Gaza if the rocket fire continues. Residents from a southern Israeli town, a frequent target of the rockets, want their government do more.
Plans for Nuclear Waste Dump Hit a Snag
The Department of Energy's controversial plan to build a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain in Nevada hit a major snag this week. A federal judge ruled that Nevada could withhold the water the agency needs for drilling at the site.
New Aircraft Aiding Search for Missing Adventurer
Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett was missing Monday, and the search for him now involves flight crews from three states. Crews have brought in a new aircraft from Utah, the Air Van, which has a special imaging system.
Missouri Picks One Contractor to Fix 800 Bridges
Missouri plans to issue a single contract for repairing and maintaining 800 of its worst bridges, which will quadruple the pace of bridge repairs in the state. Missouri is believed to be the first state to try this approach — placing the upkeep of so many bridges in the hands of a single contractor.
Democrats Question Credibility of Iraq Reports
Senators are positioning themselves on the long-awaited Iraq report from Gen. David Petraeus, with Democrats calling the troop buildup in Iraq "the Bush-Petraeus surge." They question the credibility of the White House-endorsed reports on Iraq due next week, and say that Iraq is worse off now.
Craig Fights to Clear His Name, Keep Senate Seat
Larry Craig says that if he can clear his name before his self-imposed Sept. 30 resignation date, he'll stay in the Senate. But his refusal to go away quietly has dismayed his GOP colleagues and angered some former supporters.
Drought Dries Up Wells in Rock Springs, S.C.
The nation's drought is hitting South Carolina hard. And the community of Rock Springs — despite its name — is running dry. The low- to middle-income community has about 100 homes that rely on well water — and there's precious little of that.
Taxi Drivers Strike Over Credit Card, GPS Rules
Taxi strikes slowed travel this morning in New York and Philadelphia. Drivers in both cities are upset with new rules that require cabs to have global positioning systems and touch-screen monitors that allow passengers to pay by credit card.
A Re-Fab for Prefab Sprout's 'Steve McQueen'
In 1985, the British rock quartet Prefab Sprout released its second album Steve McQueen. Influenced as much by Tin Pan Alley as new wave, the record was both hailed and panned by British and American critics alike. Twenty-two years later, age — and a deluxe re-release — has served it well.