Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• People from Myanmar are saddened by events in their homeland
  People from Myanmar, also known as Burma, who live in Minnesota say they are saddened, but not surprised, by the eruption of violence in their homeland.5:20 p.m.
• Only constant is change for the Star Tribune
  Major changes continue at Minnesota's largest newspaper this week. The Star Tribune has reportedly reassigned its readers representative and its longtime editorial page editor is leaving over differences with her boss. MPR's Tom Crann talks with media analyst David Brauer about the turmoil at the Star Tribune.5:24 p.m.
• CTC stages 'Average Family'
  A new play at the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis looks at Native American life through the lens of reality television.5:50 p.m.
• 'Quiet City' finds an audience while deliberately going nowhere
  The New York Times says Aaron Katz's film "Quiet City" creates "a mood of reflective melancholy reminiscent of the loneliness at the heart of Edward Hopper paintings." Katz will introduce his film at the Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis this weekend.5:54 p.m.
• Leigh Kamman signs off
  Leigh Kamman, longtime host of The Jazz Image on Minnesota Public Radio, signs off for the last time Saturday night.6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Tensions Mount Between Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran
  In Iraqi Kurdistan, the American military's recent detention of a visiting Iranian has upset the fragile relationship between the region and Iran.
• Virginia County to Vote on Illegal Immigration Rules
  This summer, the board of supervisors of Virginia's Prince William County approved a crackdown aimed at driving out illegal immigrants. Officials have recommendations of which county services to deny to the undocumented. The plan, which will be voted on next week, also includes more police questioning. Hispanics say the move has divided the community, and will backfire.
• Drama in National League as Baseball Winds Down
  This weekend is the end of baseball's regular season, but the playoff lineup is far from decided. While the American League is largely settled, the National League results are still up in the air. Robert Siegel speaks with our regular commentator Stefan Fatsis of The Wall Street Journal.
• In Memphis, Debate over a White Representative
  White congressman Steve Cohen represents Tennesse's 9th District. Recently, some African-American ministers have taken aim at Cohen for his support of hate-crimes legislation — implying that a white congressman should not be representing the district.
• Tale of Two Dollars: Canadians Reap Bargains
  The value of the Canadian dollar is now about equal to the U.S. dollar, a change that has touched off a bit of a shopping spree along the international border. Reporter David Sommerstein checks in from a mall in Massena, N.Y., near the St. Lawrence River.
• Myanmar's Unrest Poses Diplomatic Challenge
  Monks in Myanmar have ceased coming out of their temples and the military is cracking down on what remains of public protests. Melissa Block talks with the U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Yangon, Myanmar, about the situation. The Charge d'Affaires says conducting diplomacy with the Myanmar government has been difficult at best.
• Wooly Mammoth DNA Sequenced from Hair
  Just because an animal is dead and gone, doesn't mean its genes are lost forever. Scientist are reporting that they have been able to sequence the DNA of a wooly mammoth that died nearly 50,000 years ago. They got the DNA from a sample of the animal's hair.
• As Pace Exits, Critics Attack His War Leadership
  Gen. Peter Pace, who helped plan and carry out the Iraq war, is stepping down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Critics say Pace failed to question the assumptions of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, to devastating effect.
• Embassy Report Differs on Blackwater Shooting
  Preliminary results of the U.S. Embassy's investigation into the Blackwater shooting incident on Sept. 16, which resulted in the deaths of Iraqi civilians, differ greatly from the official Iraqi version of events. Melissa Block talks with Washington Post reporter Steve Fainaru.
• Street Food Carts Vie for Vendy Awards in New York
  While most food carts in American cities offer familiar fare such as pretzels, peanuts and hot dogs, some have gone positively gourmet. That's the case in New York, where the annual Vendy Awards recognize the city's best street food.
• Coming Soon, to a Theater Near You: Naked People
  Maybe it's the fitness craze, and people showering together in gyms, but you just don't attract crowds to movie theaters these days with mere nakedness. Filmmakers are pushing boundaries — though most are still cautious about mixing nudity and sexuality.
• Watching Myanmar from Above
  As it has done in Darfur and other crisis zones, the American Association for the Advancement of Science has conducted an analysis of high-resolution satellite images in Myanmar. It "pinpoints evidence consistent with village destruction, forced relocations, and a growing military presence at 25 sites across eastern Burma where eye-witnesses have reported human rights violations." This study, which has been underway for more than a year, does not document the current uprising in the cities, but rather tracks the ongoing campaign by Myanmar's security forces in the countryside.
• Grain Prices' Rise May Linger for Some Time
  A confluence of events is driving up the price of grain, and those price increases could stay around for some time. Robert Siegel talks with Scott Kilman, staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, about how and why grain prices are rising.
• Clinton Addresses Black Caucus; Obama Campaigns
  Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus' annual meeting Friday about the stakes in the 2008 election. The speech continues a vigorous campaign for the African-American vote; Clinton's leading opponent for the party nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, who is a member of the caucus, was nearby to talk to students at Howard University.
• Musharraf Gets Court's OK for October Election
  Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Friday that President Pervez Musharraf is allowed to contest the Oct. 6 election, dismissing legal challenges that he could not run while remaining army chief. The ruling virtually assures Musharraf will remain Pakistan's leader.

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