Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Julie Walters gives "Driving Lessons"
  At the beginning of the new movie "Driving Lessons" a young man answers a help wanted ad in a church magazine. The woman is Evie, a retired actress, who's a little eccentric. Evie is played by veteran British actor Julie Walters. She told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr she fell in love the script as soon as she read it.4:49 p.m.
• Despite national buzz, Pawlenty has gubernatorial intentions
  In his first news conference since winning the election, the Republican governor pledged to serve a full second term, despite regional and national speculation about his prospects for higher office.5:19 p.m.
• Minneapolis to rule at Legislature
  A pair of lawmakers from Minneapolis, one of them an outspoken critic of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will lead the Minnesota House and Senate.5:23 p.m.
• Dean Johnson says goodbyes at Capitol
  The veteran legislator from Willmar made some of his first public comments about his election loss as he prepared for a caucus meeting to welcome newly-elected senators.5:47 p.m.
• Peterson becomes a powerful voice for agriculture
  Now that Democrats have won a majority in both houses of Congress changes in leadership are coming. Minnesota 7th District Rep. Collin Peterson will be the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee.5:50 p.m.
• North Dakota officials fight NCAA over UND mascot
  North Dakota officials went to court Thursday over the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname. They're seeking a preliminary injunction to stop the NCAA from banning the nickname's use in post-season play and imposing other sanctions.5:53 p.m.
• Shapiro & Smith Dance goes on without Shapiro
  A Minnesota dance company takes the stage in Minneapolis this weekend without one of its key members. Danial Shapiro, co-creator of Shapiro & Smith Dance, died last month of prostate cancer.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Copacabana: The Beach Still Sways to Samba
  In the daily drama of the world's most fabled beach, visitors should expect the unexpected. Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana still wears a 1960s look, with its low-slung kiosks serving up nickel beers and fresh coconuts -- for now.
• Ed Bradley, a TV Journalism Favorite, Dies
  Michele Norris talks with CBS News Correspondent emeritus Mike Wallace, about his longtime 60 Minutes colleague Ed Bradley. Bradley reported for 60 minutes for 26 years. He died Thursday of leukemia at 65.
• Berlin, Center of Culture, Is in the Poorhouse
  Berlin may be the German capital of culture and gritty cool, but it's as poor as a pauper. The city is saddled with more than $76 billion of debt and the highest unemployment rate of any big German city. The mayor recently begged the federal government for emergency funds, but they turned him down. That means the city may have to sell assets and start slashing its cultural budget.
• Rumsfeld Blames His Exit on Iraq Failures
  A day after he handed his resignation to President Bush, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the war in Iraq wasn't going as well as had been planned, echoing President Bush's appraisal about recent progress in the conflict. Rumsfeld declined to give himself a performance grade.
• Republicans Assess Damage, Review Strategies
  Republicans across the country are assessing their losses in this week's elections, and searching for lessons for the future. In New Hampshire, both Republican congressmen were defeated by their Democratic opponents. Melissa Block hears from Andrew Cline, editorial page editor of the conservative Union-Leader newspaper.
• U.S. Farmers Push for Easing Embargo on Cuba
  An embargo against Cuba has been in place for almost 45 years. But a growing number of Americans are uniting in favor of allowing trade with Cuba. Some farmers, particularly those who grow rice and beans, see Cuba as one of the world's most promising markets. A bean farmer in North Dakota says opening trade with Cuba could change his life.
• Sen. Allen Concedes Defeat; Dems Control Congress
  Virginia Sen. George Allen concedes defeat in his close race with Democrat Jim Webb, giving the Democrats their 51st seat and majority control of the Senate. Michele Norris talks with NPR's David Welna.
• Israeli Religious Leaders Show Gay Intolerance
  Some Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders in Jerusalem agree on one thing: They don't want gays and lesbians to march in Jerusalem on Nov. 10. Israel's chief Rabbi has called the Gay Pride march "a threat to Israel." Gay activists call the angry reaction a disgrace.
• Bush and Pelosi Make Nice in White House Visit
  President Bush hosts the woman who will soon lead Democrats in the House of Representatives. Mr. Bush and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have long been political adversaries; at times the rhetoric has been lacerating. But two days after Democratic gains, there were smiles and handshakes.
• How the Brain Tames the Eyes' Wild Motions
  Our eyes dart around constantly when taking in a scene. Yet the scene appears stable to us. Scientists have spent years trying to figure out how the brain accomplishes this feat. Now they think they know. The key is a brain circuit that monitors every eye movement and tells the brain how to compensate for it.
• Germany's Legendary Stasi Spy Chief Dies at 83
  Markus Wolf, former head of East Germany's feared spy service, has died at 83. He was the mastermind of some of the Cold War's most successful intelligence operations. Wolf is said to have perfected the use of sex as an intelligence weapon.
• The Psychology of Taste, and Choice
  Commentator and resident philosopher Alain De Botton analyzes why certain kinds of aesthetic tastes appeal to people. It's all in the psychology, he says.
• Former NFL QB Heath Shuler Gains House Seat
  Melissa Block talks with Heath Shuler, congressman-elect from western North Carolina. He is a "Blue Dog" Democrat: conservative on economic issues and some social issues. Shuler says he believes government should be a force to help those who cannot help themselves.
• 'Hello Love' from Be Good Tanyas
  Music critic Meredith Ochs reviews Hello Love, the third album by Canadian roots band the Be Good Tanyas. The group mixes down-home guitar picking with the harmonizing vocals of lead singer Frazey Ford and bandmates Samantha Parton and Trish Klein.
• Letters: The Election, and Helium
  Melissa Block and Michele Norris read from listeners' e-mail. Among this week's topics: NPR's election coverage Tuesday night; a story we did about a helium shortage; and Block's interview with two voiceover artists who specialize in negative campaign ads.

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