All Things Considered for September 15, 2008 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, September 15, 2008

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Dean Barkley tries to shake up the race for Senate
Recent polls have Independence Party Senate candidate Dean Barkley gaining ground on Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and DFL candidate Al Franken.4:45 p.m.
Media analyst weighs in on Best Buy/Napster deal
Today, Best Buy announced a move to buy into the digital music business. The Richfield-based electronics retailer is planning to acquire Napster for about $121 million. To talk more about the Best Buy/Napster deal Tom Crann talked to Aram Sinnreich, a media industry analyst and NYU professor.4:52 p.m.
New 35W bridge to open Thursday morning
Just 414 days after the Interstate 35W bridge fell into the Mississippi, freeway traffic will be rolling over the river again this week.5:20 p.m.
Historic and handsome, but could new bridge have been more?
The new 35W bridge is far from an eyesore. But bridge buffs and historians wished for a more distinctive addition to the Minneapolis riverfront.5:24 p.m.
Minnesota's economy 'well-insulated' from Wall Street troubles
Some of the effects of the latest turmoil on Wall Street landed in Minnesota today. Minneapolis-based Ameriprise Financial disclosed it owns nearly $160 million of securities issued by Lehman Brothers. But the Minnesota economy and its financial services sector might be somewhat insulated from the pain that'll go with this mishap.5:50 p.m.
Twins ballpark to be named Target Field
The new Twins Ballpark will be called Target Field. On Monday, the team announced that the Minnesota-based retailer will have exclusive naming rights to its 40,000-seat stadium and the adjacent outdoor plaza.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

McCain, Obama Vow Changes Amid Wall St. Woes
GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, say the current crop of problems on Wall Street reflects a failure in Washington. Both promise to overhaul the rules governing financial markets.
Wallace Invented 'New Style, New Comedy'
David Foster Wallace invented a new kind of comedy, says author David Lipsky: "The comedy was of a brain so big, careful and kind it kept tripping over its own lumps." Wallace, best known for his critically acclaimed novel Infinite Jest, apparently committed suicide on Friday.
In 'Indignation,' Roth Draws On His College Days
In his newest novel, Philip Roth looks at the moral norms imposed on college kids in the 1950s. He says it was only many years after his own college days that he saw how repressive the environment was.
Paulson Tries To Calm Nerves On Wall Street
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has said the U.S. financial system is sound and resilient despite the recent economic downturn. Paulson's remarks came after Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch was sold and AIG battled to stay afloat.
Bank Of America Buys Merrill Lynch For $50B
Bank of America is acquiring Merrill Lynch in a $50 billion deal that could turn the big U.S. bank into a global financial-services powerhouse. But Bank of America must first successfully integrate the investment firm with its commercial bank operations.
AIG Gets OK To Borrow From Subsidiaries
Insurance giant American International Group Inc. will be allowed to borrow $20 billion from its subsidiaries in order to stay in business. AIG shares have plummeted in recent days. Diane Brady, a senior writer at Business Week, offers her insight.
Liberal 527 Groups Target McCain With Ads
Although the Obama campaign's $66 million in August may not be enough to maintain his advantage over the combined funds of the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee, liberal 527 groups may steal the spotlight with their anti-McCain ads.
In Michigan, Biden Likens McCain Tactics To Rove's
Sen. Joe Biden has accused the McCain campaign of adopting the tactics of Karl Rove. The Democratic vice presidential nominee has been overshadowed by the surprise candidacy of Republican Sarah Palin, but he came out swinging Monday in Michigan.
Broker Offers Advice To Investors
The current economic climate is prompting investors to ask where the economy is heading. Juli Niemann, an executive vice president at Smith Moore & Company in Saint Louis, says she's discouraging investors both from panic selling and from bargain buying at this point.
Letters: Week in Politics, Trash Magnate
Listeners responded to part of the political chat with David Brooks and E.J. Dionne, and to Melissa Block's feature on a New Orleans man who became a local hero taking out the city's trash.