Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Local band makes music with Game Boys
  The music of Unicorn Dream Attack sounds like a Game Boy orchestra, but is deceptively human.4:49 p.m.
• Two Twin Cities teachers get $25K awards
  The two are among about 80 teachers nationwide to get no-strings-attached cash awards from the Milken Family Foundation. The awards are often called the "Oscars of teaching."5:24 p.m.
• Coldwell Banker holding sale on 1,500 Minnesota properties
  Coldwell Banker is holding a sale, on houses. The the big national realtor has marked down prices on about 1,500 in the Twin Cities, Saint Cloud and Rochester this week. It's part of the company's nationwide effort to get potential buyers off the sidelines and into new homes.5:56 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Court to Hear Appeals In Landmark Tobacco Case
  A federal appeals panel hears oral arguments in the Clinton-era case accusing the tobacco industry of violating civil racketeering laws by defrauding the public about the deadly nature of cigarettes. A district court ruled for the government, but not for the remedy sought. Both sides appealed.
• Expanded Bailout Differs From Original Plan
  The bailout legislation is finally shaping up. After rushing the bill through Congress, the administration took its time in figuring out how to use it. Now it appears the administration is using it differently than originally planned.
• Ahead Of Vote, A Tie In North Carolina
  North Carolina has not voted for a Democratic candidate for president since 1976. Usually, it's not even competitive. But right now, it's a tie, and trending toward Barack Obama. What's going on in the Tar Heel state?
• Obama Aide Explains Democrat's Plan
  Sen. Barack Obama unveiled Monday a package of economic measures, including tax credits for job creation and a 90-day moratorium on some home foreclosures. Austan Goolsbee, senior economic adviser to the Obama campaign, says that in the long run, Obama's plan is fiscally more responsible than McCain's.
• McCain Aide Explains Candidate's Economic Plan
  Sen. John McCain has unveiled a package of economic measures that includes cuts in taxes on capital gains. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, senior policy adviser to the McCain campaign, says the plan targets "those who have been hurt most badly by the recent financial market distress: seniors, savers, homeowners and workers."
• McCain Unveils Economic Plan
  Republican presidential candidate John McCain has unveiled his new economic proposal while campaigning in Blue Bell, Pa. One key provision is a tax break for senior citizens who withdraw money from retirement accounts.
• Iceland Reels From Global Financial Meltdown
  The global financial meltdown has hit Iceland hard. Its major banks have been nationalized, its currency is in free fall and its stock market has plummeted. "Every single person has a personal tale about how the financial crisis has impacted them," says Chad Thomas, Bloomberg News' bureau chief in Helsinki, Finland.
• As Obama Leads Polls, Bradley Effect Examined
  What voters tell pollsters and what they do in the privacy of the voting booth may differ. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American, lost the 1982 California gubernatorial race even though he had a double-digit lead in the polls. Some wonder if history will repeat itself in the case of Obama.
• Amid Affair Claims, Democrat Denies Breaking Law
  Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL) has admitted to causing "embarrassment and heartache" in his marriage but denied paying hush money to a former aide to be quiet about an affair. Mahoney won his seat because of sex allegations surrounding Republican Rep. Mark Foley.
• Bailout Plan Has Little Effect On Credit Markets
  The government's plan to inject capital into nine big financial institutions has had little effect on the credit markets. The reluctance of banks to make loans — even to one another — is at the core of the financial crisis.
• Expert: Expanded Bailout Is Not Nationalization
  President Bush's new plan will allow the U.S. government to spend about $250 billion to buy equity stakes in banks. "We're not at nationalization yet, but this is a profound movement," says Ken Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University and former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund.
• U.S. To Spend $250B On Stake In Banks
  The government's latest response to the financial crisis involves taking ownership stakes in financial institutions in order to get credit flowing through the economy again. Treasury Secretary Paulson said he didn't like government ownership of banks, but the alternatives, he said, were "totally unacceptable."
• Q&A: What Will The Intellectual Property Czar Do?
  A newly authorized White House coordinator will ride herd on law-enforcement aimed at intellectual-property theft. The entertainment industry says it's vital; critics say it's a waste of time and money. NPR's Laura Sydell explains.
• Avast Ye, Downloaders: The Pirate Czar Is Coming
  With the entertainment industry cheering them on, Congress has authorized a White House post devoted to combating ... well, your BitTorrenting, YouTubing, copyright-violating ways. NPR's pop-culture blogger says that's not the best way to go about it.
• Commanders Look For New Strategy In Afghanistan
  As the war in Afghanistan continues, military commanders are exploring new options and strategies as they struggle to contain a strengthening enemy. Efforts are under way to train more Afghan forces as U.S. military equipment is moved into the country from Iraq.

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