All Things Considered for September 30, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Minnesota projects safe despite transportation act expiration
Minnesota transportation officials say no state road or bridge projects currently under construction or planned for the near future are threatened by the expiration at midnight of the federal transportation act.4:45 p.m.
Grand Portage: A model of cooperation
One of the state's more remote attractions is found on Lake Superior's North Shore. The Grand Portage National Monument celebrates the state's fur trading history. It also serves as a bellwether for cooperation between the federal government and American Indians.4:50 p.m.
Mpls Fed's new leader has Midwest economic approach
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has named a University of Minnesota economist as its new president. Narayana Kocherlakota takes over on Oct. 8. Here's a profile of Kocherlakota.5:20 p.m.
Author explores the travails of reckless hearts
N.M Kelby has been a performer, a TV reporter and has written several novels ranging from murder mysteries to an exploration of astrophysics, and now she has released a collection of short stories titled "A Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts."5:24 p.m.
Ralph Nader to give reading in Minneapolis tonight
Attorney, political activist, and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader will be in Minnesota for an appearance tonight.5:51 p.m.
Grand Portage: A model of cooperation
One of the state's more remote attractions is found on Lake Superior's North Shore. The Grand Portage National Monument celebrates the state's fur trading history. It also serves as a bellwether for cooperation between the federal government and American Indians.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Fired U.N. Diplomat Says He Warned Against Fraud
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired the top U.S. official at the U.N. mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday over differences the official, Peter Galbraith, had with his boss over how to deal with charges of fraud in the Afghan presidential election. Galbraith tells NPR the dispute was over whether the U.N. should do anything about the fraud.
U.S. Afghan Strategy Hinges On Reliable Ally In Kabul
A critical factor in the success of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is a legitimate government in Kabul. Incumbent President Hamid Karzai is expected to be declared the winner of the fraud-marred August election. But the relationship between Karzai and the Obama administration is on shaky ground.
Despite Pakistani Concerns, Envoy Welcomes U.S. Aid
A U.S. aid package would give Pakistan $7.5 billion over the next five years. Husain Haqqani, the Pakistani envoy to the U.S., says that while conditions placed on the package have upset Pakistanis, many of the concerns will go away once the two countries build trust.
Swine Flu Sweeps Through Austin, Hitting The Young
Twenty-six states are experiencing high H1N1 virus activity — most in the lower half of the nation, according to the CDC. In Austin, Texas, hundreds are seeking treatment; most of them are young and resilient enough to get through it. One medical center recently erected three field tents on its parking lot to deal exclusively with swine flu.
Progress In Treating HIV; Still A Long Way To Go
More than 4 million people in low- and middle-income countries are currently receiving life-preserving drug treatments for HIV, a 39 percent increase in one year. Still, in many countries in Africa, the number of people infected continues to rise, and funding for treatment is in danger.
GAO Faults FEMA On Nationwide Alert System
FEMA has made little progress on an emergency-alert system despite a 2006 executive order that called for improvements in the system in light of the Sept. 11 attacks, congressional investigators say. A GAO official tells NPR the way things stand now, many parts of the country will be without information if there is an emergency.
Pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin: Haydn Made Easy
The Canadian pianist's latest release is a collection of "easy" sonatas by Joseph Haydn. With lyrical proclamations and high-minded fun, Hamelin reveals Haydn's mastery of melody, harmony and form.
Geneva Meeting To Focus On Iran Nuclear Program
Iranian envoys meet Thursday in Geneva with representatives from Europe, Russia, China and the U.S. for talks that will focus on Tehran's suspect nuclear program. The meeting comes as Iran's foreign minister visited Washington on Wednesday on a rare visit.
What Are U.S. Interests When It Comes To Iran?
Former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski says ultimately it is in the U.S. interest to have Iran as a stabilizing regional power. The more immediate interest, he says, is to avoid an Iranian nuclear bomb.
Letters: Shofar
Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listeners' letters, including many who commented on and questioned the interview with a shofar player.