All Things Considered for November 1, 2010 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, November 1, 2010

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Zumbro Falls man loses home, runs for mayor
The sitting mayor, Alan VandeWalker, decided not to run for re-election after serving in office for 20 years. Enter Al Christiansen, 15-year veteran of the Zumbro Falls City Council, who stepped in and agreed to run for mayor.4:49 p.m.
Judge: Group can't wear 'Please I.D. Me' buttons
A judge in Minneapolis ruled after considering arguments from election officials who said the buttons could be seen as having a political message.4:52 p.m.
Emmer, Dayton and Horner make last pitch across Minn.
The three major party candidates for governor are traveling the state Monday making one final pitch to voters before Election Day.5:20 p.m.
Medtronic developing new mini pacemaker
Medtronic believes it can help sales grow by making some long-standing products shrink, including a new mini pacemaker about the size and shape of large vitamin capsule.5:50 p.m.
U of M vet to help protect hawks on Galapagos Islands
A University of Minnesota veterinarian has been invited to the Galapagos Islands to help trap and protect a population of hawks while scientists work to eradicate the islands' invasive rats.5:54 p.m.
Today's Question: What are the three best reasons to support your candidate for governor?
Each Monday leading up to Election Day, we've asked a question related to the race for Minnesota governor. Today's Question: What are the three best reasons to support your candidate?6:27 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Russia's Troubled Waters Flow With The Mighty Volga
The 2,300-mile Volga River is Russia's pride and lifeblood. It provides water, power and transport and has played a key role in Russia's history. Now, in post-Soviet times, the river and its communities are under threat from economic woes and environmental concerns.
Midterm Predictions: House, Senate, Gubernatorial
With just one day to go before the 2010 midterm elections, NPR's Michele Norris checks in one final time with Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report. Rothenberg offers his analysis of what to expect in House, Senate and gubernatorial races.
Oil Firms Bankroll Calif. Climate-Change Measure
In California, voters will decide Tuesday whether to put the state's landmark climate-change law on hold until the jobless rate there goes down. Oil companies have contributed most of the money behind the campaign in support of the ballot measure known as Proposition 23.
Kennedy Aide Ted Sorensen Dies At 82
Ted Sorensen, adviser and speechwriter to President John Kennedy, died over the weekend. He was 82.
The Past And Future Of Information Empires
Columbia law professor Tim Wu writes that information technologies have all gone through a similar life cycle: "Information technologies give rise to industries, and industries to empires." Wu says this cycle ultimately destroys the innovative spirit that creates new information technologies and the openness that typifies them in their early years. In his new book, The Master Switch, Wu asks if the Internet is next. NPR's Robert Siegel asks Wu if the history of various information technologies -- the telephone, movies, radio, television -- can predict the future of the Internet.
Boehner, Obama Clash In War Of Words
When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that his top priority was seeing that President Obama was a one-term president, Democrats pounced. So it's not surprising that when President Obama suggested Republicans were "our enemies," the GOP parried. House Minority Leader John Boehner -- who many believe will be the next Speaker of the House -- is pushing back hard, saying where the president sees enemies, he sees patriots.
A Look At The Upcoming Midterms
NPR political correspondent Mara Liasson joins Robert Siegel to talk about Tuesday's elections.
Yemen Plot Puts Spotlight On Saudi Bomb-Maker
Authorities believe that the bombs found in cargo packages sent from Yemen were made by the same man who designed the bomb intended to bring down a flight bound for Detroit last Christmas. The alleged bomb-maker is named Ibrahim al-Asiri, and he is said to be part of the group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
Cholera May Have Come To Haiti From South Asia
An analysis of DNA from bacterial samples taken from cholera victims in Haiti finds the were identical. The results indicate a single strain is responsible and its source may have been South Asia.
How To Cook French, With Shortcuts
In Around My French Table, cookbook author Dorie Greenspan revels in the idea that French home cooks take shortcuts just like Americans do -- they just don't talk about it as loudly. She demonstrates how people can make a French version of shepherd's pie -- with and without shortcuts.