Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Can the new bridge stand the heat?
  Lead designer of the I-35W bridge replacement project, Linda Figg, talked to All Things Considered about how the new bridge will accommodate the state's extreme weather.5:20 p.m.
• Carleton College professor draws from his own past to teach students about Burma conflict
  At Carleton College, a visiting professor's life as a teenage political fugitive and refugee becomes a teaching tool.5:23 p.m.
• 'My Kid Could Paint That' - or could she?
  Amir Bar-Lev's life changed the day he heard abstract paintings by 4-year-old girl were selling for thousands of dollars. His film called "My Kid Could Paint That," opens locally this weekend.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Beirut Blares Gypsy Brass in 'Flying Club Cup'
  Zach Condon is a young singer-songwriter who grew up in Albuquerque, N.M., but whose musical interests have looked abroad. His debut, which drew on Balkan gypsy music, was a surprise hit among Internet indie-rock cognescenti last year. His second set with the band Beirut is The Flying Club Cup.
• Indians Fan Still Going Strong at 92
  Joe Corrado has been watching the Cleveland Indians for nine decades, six of them from a most unusual vantage point — right beside the press box. The 92-year-old has cheered — in person — Hall-of-Famers like Tris Speaker, Bob Feller and Ty Cobb.
• Yankees' Torre Won't Return as Manager
  Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees. On Thursday, he turned down a deal with a significant pay cut and little job security — one year at $5 million. Torre is one of the most successful managers in Yankee history. But his job status became precarious when the Yankees lost in the playoffs for the third straight season.
• House Speaker Pelosi on Legislative Losing Streak
  It hasn't been a good week for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She was out-maneuvered by Republicans on the FISA bill, she lost Democratic support on the genocide resolution, and she lost again Thursday on efforts to override the president's veto of the children's health insurance bill.
• Senate Committee Strikes Deal on Wiretaps
  Senate Democrats and Republicans on one committee have struck a deal on the continuing use of domestic wiretaps in the war on terrorism. But other key figures in the Senate say the deal gives up too much.
• Mukasey Refuses to Call Waterboarding Torture
  In the second day of his confirmation hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey on Thursday refused to say that waterboarding is torture. He declined to say that he rejects waterboarding, saying only that if it is torture, it can't be used.
• Congresswoman Advocates for Transgender Rights
  A House committee is considering an employment anti-discrimination bill that includes protection for gays and lesbians, but not for transgender people. Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, the only openly gay woman in Congress, plans to introduce an amendment to put transgender people back in.
• Candidates' Likenesses are Halloween Favorites
  A Halloween store in Manhattan unveils its political costume collection. Rudolph Giuliani and Hillary Clinton costumes are predictable and perennial New York favorites. How are the other presidential candidates playing this Halloween?
• Turmoil Shrouds Bhutto's Arrival in Karachi
  As Benazir Bhutto's motorcade slowly made its way through throngs of well-wishers Thursday — heading toward the family estate — the city of Karachi was in turmoil, even before the explosions near her motorcade later in the day. Traffic was snarled and residents were debating whether her return was good thing.
• Blasts Follow Return of Pakistan's Ex-Leader Bhutto
  Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto ended eight years of self-imposed exile Thursday and arrived in Karachi, where tens of thousands of supporters greeted her. The return was marred by at least two explosions near her motorcade, which was surrounded by supporters.
• Kansas Sen. Brownback Drops White House Bid
  The 2008 Republican presidential field narrowed a bit Thursday when Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas told friends he'll announce the end of his campaign Friday. Meantime, John McCain has been trying to revive his bid for the White House by talking to voters in South Carolina.
• Letters: Guns in Schools, Nooses, Eric Clapton
  Melissa Block and Michele Norris read from listeners' letters and e-mails, including responses to our story about a gun-toting schoolteacher, commentary on nooses and racism, and our story about a guitar-playing legend.
• John Edwards Fights for Rural Iowa Votes
  John Edwards, who perhaps needs a victory in Iowa more than any of his main rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination — and who has far less money than his main rivals for the nomination — kicks off a "barnstorm for rural America" across western Iowa.
• Prince: Too Soon to Judge Blackwater
  Erik Prince, founder and CEO of Blackwater Worldwide, says that evidence suggests security contractors working for his firm did indeed come under attack during a Sept. 16 shooting incident in Baghdad that resulted in the deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians.
• Fla. Town Faces Threat to Gay-Friendly Ranking
  Fort Lauderdale residents are bracing for a possible economic backlash in their Florida community after controversial remarks by their mayor, Jim Naugle, who held what he called a crusade against homosexuals in September. But Out Traveler magazine released a readers' poll this week listing Fort Lauderdale as one of the top gay tourism destinations.

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