All Things Considered for September 22, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Mayo says Medicare changes needed in Obama plan
President Obama's speeches on reforming America's health care system frequently invoke Mayo Clinic as a model for the rest of the nation to emulate, but the Mayo Clinic doesn't support Obama's plan as it currently stands.4:45 p.m.
Autumn a great time to hike in the Twin Cities
The arrival of fall doesn't mean the end of outdoor activities in Minnesota. In fact, autumn can be one of the best times to enjoy nature.4:50 p.m.
Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area
Pictures from along the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area in Eden Prairie, Minn.4:58 p.m.
U of M sues over Central Corridor concerns
The University of Minnesota filed suit against the Metropolitan Council today over its concerns about the proposed Central Corridor light rail line going through campus.5:20 p.m.
Survey: Many businesses ill-equipped to handle H1N1 outbreak
A large majority of businesses anticipate severe problems maintaining operations if there is a significant H1N1 flu outbreak.5:24 p.m.
Man charged in 1977 St. Paul murder
A 59-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in a grisly homicide that has gone unsolved for 32 years.5:50 p.m.
Lawmakers debate on millions of dollars left in strike force coffers
A plan to clean up the remnants of the Metro Gang Strike Force, began to take shape at the Capitol Tuesday.5:54 p.m.
Mayo says Medicare changes needed in Obama plan
President Obama's speeches on reforming America's health care system frequently invoke Mayo Clinic as a model for the rest of the nation to emulate, but the Mayo Clinic doesn't support Obama's plan as it currently stands.6:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Medicare Makes Patients Happy, But Can It Last?
The Senate Finance Committee began hashing out its health overhaul bill, which includes provisions for the very popular but expensive government-run Medicare program. Audrey Bernfield, 71, a two-time breast cancer survivor, loves the flexibility of Medicare and dismisses critics who say the government can't run things right.
Utah Tackles Texting And Driving Problem Head-On
Utah now has the toughest law in the nation banning texting and driving. It also uses a video on a case in which two men were killed by a texting driver to deter people from the activity. In the month since its release, the video has had 370,000 downloads, and requests are coming from other states to show it.
'Genius' Mathematician Seeks New Problems
How do flags flutter in the wind? How do flowers bloom? Mathematician Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan studies questions like these, and on Tuesday, he was named a MacArthur Foundation fellow, an honor that comes with a no-strings-attached $500,000 grant and the sobriquet "genius."
Poet's Wordplay Leads To MacArthur 'Genius' Award
MacArthur Fellow Heather McHugh mines words for contradictions and double meanings, offering the reader an expansive, fresh perspective on themes like love and mortality.
Sinatra And Jobim: David Gray On 'Quiet Nights'
The British singer-songwriter first heard "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" 10 years ago, and he says he's had it on repeat ever since. He explains why he loves this 1967 collaboration between Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim — and why other listeners might love it, too.
Tommy Lasorda Looks Back On Baseball Dreams
A life-size portrait of former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday — his 82nd birthday. Lasorda tells NPR he never reached the level he thought he would reach as a player.
Pianist Art Ferrante Remembered
Pianist Art Ferrante of the piano duo Ferrante and Teicher died Saturday. The duo, who met while studying at The Juilliard School in New York City, sold more than 88 million records worldwide.
Day At U.N. Underscores Obama's Challenges
In New York for his first visit to the U.N. since becoming president, Barack Obama spent time meeting with other world leaders. He also addressed the U.N. Summit on Climate Change. With progress stalled on Middle East peace talks as well as climate change, it was a day that underscored the challenges Obama faces.
Obama: Action On Climate Change Needed
President Obama said Tuesday the U.S. was determined to act on climate change, but did not offer any specific proposals on how the country would do so. His comments came at the opening of the U.N. climate summit.
With Obama In New York, Gridlock Examined
Whenever the president comes to New York City, traffic stops. This week, however with President Obama, the U.N. General Assembly and meetings on climate change, gridlock may be even worse.