Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Immigrants on democracy
  We know that many Americans have quibbles with our political process. But Minnesota Public Radio producer Sanden Totten went out to talk with some people who did not grow up with democracy. He wanted to find out if they would be as quick to criticize politics in this country.3:45 p.m.
• Hennepin County makes its move on Twins stadium land
  The county is still negotiating with four major landowners and may turn to its power of eminent domain to get the land if talks stall.5:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• A Huge 'October Surprise,' 50 Years Later
  Commentator and former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite tells the story of a rare moment in the news business when separate crises converged at virtually the same moment. Fifty years ago, the United States was caught in just such a convergence: As the Russians invaded Hungary, the British and French invaded Egypt --- all in the final days of an American presidential election. It was the most far-reaching "October Surprise" of the 20th century.
• Bush's Iraq Team Switches Its Rhetoric
  NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr comments on a change in rhetoric from the Bush administration. Words like "timetable," "benchmark," and "phased withdrawal" have crept into official discourse about the U.S. strategy in Iraq.
• White House Downplays 'Staying the Course'
  The White House has denied having plans to adjust its strategy in Iraq after the November elections -- but there are signs that a shift in approach may be on the way. Aside from new planning at the Pentagon, there have been notable changes in the language President Bush and his staff use to describe the Iraq war.
• Why Libraries Should Stock 'Pale Horse, Pale Rider'
  When a student showed Alice McDermott a discarded library copy of Katherine Anne Porter's Pale Horse, Pale Rider, stamped "Low Demand," McDermott felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. The title novella in this collection, McDermott says, exhibits "intelligence, wit, heartache, profundity and marvelous prose."
• Do Ballot Initiatives Help Get Out the Vote?
  On Election Day, 207 ballot measures will be put to voters in 37 states. The big topics revolve around eminent domain, same-sex marriage and minimum wage. Robert Siegel talks about initiatives and with John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California.
• Ford Loses $5.8 Billion, Eliminates Taurus Line
  The Ford Motor Company announces quarterly losses of $5.8 billion, the result of charges for wide-scale job cuts and slowing demand for its trucks. In announcing its deepest loss since 1992, the company also said that the last Ford Taurus sedan will roll off its Atlanta assembly line Friday.
• California's Prop 87 Energy Measure Divides Opinion
  California voters will soon decide whether to tag oil producers with $4 billion in new taxes to fund the research and development of alternative energy sources. Sponsors of Proposition 87 have enlisted the help of former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore, but critics say the measure will lead to skyrocketing gas prices.
• Chemistry Lovers Celebrate Mole Day
  Schools around the country will be eating pie-a-la-mole and guaca-mole on Monday to celebrate National Mole Day. In honor of the number -- 6.022E23 -- used to calculate the mass of atoms, students and teachers celebrate from 6:02 AM to 6:02 PM on October 23.
• Legendary Jumper Dies in Fall at Bridge
  Investigators are looking into the weekend death of Brian Schubert, a pioneer of the extreme sport of B.A.S.E. jumping. The 66-year-old died when his parachute didn't fully open during his 876-foot jump from West Virginia's New River Gorge Bridge. Melissa Block talks with NPR's Noah Adams, who witnessed the jump.
• Enron's Skilling Sentenced to 24 Years for Fraud
  A federal judge sentences Jeffrey Skilling, the former CEO of Enron, to 24 years and four months in prison. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake also turned down Skilling's request to remain free while he appeals his conviction of fraud, conspiracy, insider trading and lying to auditors.
• Iraqi Journalist Flees to Egypt
  Iraqi Shiite journalist Seif al-Hayat fled to Egypt after being warned of death threats over his pieces for the government-run Iraqiya television channel. He says he was barred from writing about possible government involvement in militias and corruption.
• Remains Found at Ground Zero Prompt New Searches
  In the wake of the discovery of additional human remains at Ground Zero, at least a dozen utility corridors and manholes will be searched in the area around the World Trade Center site. Some family members of those lost in the Sept. 11 attacks are outraged that the areas were overlooked in initial searches.
• Israel's Olmert Brings Hard-Liner into Coalition
  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert moves to expand his governing coalition, adding a right-wing party headed by Avigdor Lieberman, a strong proponent of retaining the West Bank.
• Voting Complexity Takes Toll in Hiring for Polls
  States around the country are trying to find and train enough poll-workers to staff the Nov. 7 midterm elections. The increasing complexity of voting procedures and equipment makes it harder to recruit. Maryland and Ohio are providing refresher courses after problems in their primaries were attributed in part to poll-workers.
• A Partially Empty Nest, with Mixed Feelings
  In this season, the term "empty nest" has taken on fresh meaning for thousands of parents whose children went off to college for the first time this fall. Commentator Marion Winik counts herself among them. Winik lives in Glen Rock, Pa. She is the author of Above Us Only Sky.

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