Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Robin Swicord convenes 'The Jane Austen Book Club'
  When a producer approached filmmaker Robin Swicord with the idea of a film adaptation of the best-selling novel "The Jane Austen Book Club," she leapt at the chance.4:45 p.m.
• Implications of the Nobel Prize
  The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences next week will award gifted and prominent scientists a Nobel Prize. What do these awards mean 106 years after their creation? And what do they say about the direction of science and society?4:51 p.m.
• Senate DFL candidates mix it up at debate
  Three Democrats who hope to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman next year came together Friday to talk about the issues. Mike Ciresi, Jim Cohen and Al Franken talked about the war in Iraq, health care, taxes and other issues.5:16 p.m.
• U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison on observing Ramadan
  The U.S. House unanimously passed a resolution this week recognizing the month of Ramadan and the important role that Muslim-Americans play in the nation's culture. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison is the first Muslim in Congress and the first to observe these religious rituals as a member of Congress.5:22 p.m.
• Russian singers plumb the depths of the human vocal range
  Russia's top choir, the State Symphony Capella, concludes its first U.S. tour in Minneapolis on Sunday.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Female Soldier Reflects on Injuries, Military Service
  In November 2006, Army Spc. Sue Downes lost both of her legs after the truck she was traveling in hit anti-tank mines in Afghanistan. Downes shares her thoughts about her injuries, her recovery and her love of military service.
• U.N. Envoy to Myanmar Briefs Council After Visits
  Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. special envoy to Myanmar, briefed the U.N. Security Council Friday on his visits with Myanmar leader Senior General Than Shwe, and with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Marion Jones Pleads Guilty in Drug Case, Retires
  Olympic track and field star Marion Jones has pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about using steroids. The three-time Olympic gold medalist also announced her retirement from the sport on Friday. Michele Norris has an update.
• September Report Brings Good News in Job Growth
  The Labor Department announced that 110,000 new jobs were created in September, and stocks rallied after the report. After a scary summer of financial turmoil, even decent job growth is reassuring and might be an indication that the U.S. economy has avoided the worst. The Labor Department also revised its figure for August jobs.
• Michigan Economy Among Nation's Worst
  Whether it's measured by job creation, home foreclosures or people on food stamps, Michigan's economy is one of the worst in the United States. A strike against General Motors threatened to make that even worse. The two-day walkout is over, but the state's economic troubles aren't.
• Condo Auction a Symptom of Ailing Housing Market
  An auction of parts of two condo developments in San Diego tests the severity of the housing downturn. The condos weren't moving in the city's sluggish housing market. So the developer put them up for auction — at a seriously discounted initial bidding price.
• Guardswoman's Death in Afghanistan a Mystery
  The military's first report was that Massachusetts National Guard Spc. Ciara Durkin was killed in action in Afghanistan. In fact, she died with a bullet in her head inside Bagram Air Base. It was a ragged start to the investigation into Durkin's death.
• Family, Friends Honor Fallen Guardswoman
  Amid the questions and calls for more investigation into the death of Massachusetts National Guard Spc. Ciara Durkin, friends and family are trying to remember the Ireland native who was already making plans to resume an active life with her large family after her stint in Afghanistan.
• Iraqi Official Urges U.S. Talks with Iran
  Iraq National Security Adviser Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie says Iran is meddling in Iraq's affairs and setting up a proxy war in his country. But Rubaie, in Washington, D.C., this week, is warning U.S. officials about the danger of attacking Iran directly.
• Venezuelans Bolster Playoffs-Bound Cleveland
  As the Cleveland Indians head to the playoffs for the first time in six years, one remarkable statistic stands out. More than 20 percent of its players are Venezuelan — the highest percentage in the majors.

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