Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Accidental encounter with Matisse inspires Hampl's new book
  A Matisse painting of a woman gazing at a bowl of goldfish is the center of St. Paul author Patricia Hampl's new book, "Blue Arabesque: A Search for the Sublime."4:50 p.m.
• Southern Minnesota hit by band of heavy snow
  Residents of southern Minnesota were digging out and driving was discouraged after a storm Friday morning brought not only up to a foot of fresh snow, but thunder and lightning at the same time.5:20 p.m.
• Brauer on bias
  Another election season has come and gone, and with it the intense media coverage. The perennial issue of bias in the media has come up again, in the campaign and the coverage of the Democratic successes in many races. Tom Crann talks with David Brauer, who watches media issues on All Things Considered.6:19 p.m.
• Stop It Now
  You may have seen them, and even been startled by them. Billboards and outdoor ads that invite people who may be looking at child pornography, or having sexual thoughts about children, to call a toll-free number for help. The ads were developed and begun one year ago by a group called "Stop It Now Minnesota, The Campaign to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse". They're now expanding the campaign. It's a very public targeting to deal with a sensitive issue. Tom Crann talked with Yvonne Cournoyer, the program director of Stop It Now.6:23 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• A Mom's Cheer: Write! Write! Atta Girl!
  Commentator Julie Zickefoose tells the tale of when her sports-challenged daughter won the county writing contest.
• White House Pledges to Adjust to New Senate
  President Bush meets with the new leaders of the Senate, Democrats Harry Reid of Nevada and Richard Durbin of Illinois, who benefited from their party's strong showing in Senate races this week. The new Senate and House mean President Bush will need new strategies for his final two years in office.
• Paper's Inquiry Finds Serious Flaws in Mine Safety
  Melissa Block talks with Ken Ward Jr., staff writer at The Charleston Gazette, about his investigation into mine safety. Ward found that 90 percent of mine deaths could have been avoided if safety regulations had been followed. He says mine managers are ignoring some safety measures, and federal regulators are only charging small fines for breaking the rules.
• In Stem-Cell Transplants, Timing Is Everything
  Stem cells are a promising part of advances in therapy, because they can turn into a variety of cell types. But stem cells may only be useful after they've begun to change into the cell type they're destined to become.
• Michigan Voters Ban Affirmative Action
  This week, Michigan became the third state to ban affirmative action in the public arena based on race, gender, and ethnic status. It follows California and Washington. Michigan voters passed the ballot initiative by a wide margin.
• Penelope Cruz on Returning to Almodovar
  Melissa Block talks with Penelope Cruz about her new film, Volver. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, the film's title means "to return." It is inspired by the filmmaker's childhood in La Mancha, Spain.
• Britain's MI5 Warns of 30 Possible Terrorist Attacks
  Muslim extremists are planning at least 30 major terrorist attacks in Britain, according to MI5. The head of Britain's internal the security service, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, says some of the plots might involve chemical or nuclear materials.
• Oscar-Winner Jack Palance Dies
  Actor Jack Palance, known for his haltingly intense speaking style and dozens of roles in Western and noir films, has died. After years of playing the heavy in Hollywood, Palance became a hit in comedy films late in life. At 70, he won an Oscar for his over-the-top role in the Billy Crystal film City Slickers.
• Businesses Look at Castro's Cuba, and Wonder
  Speculation over the health of President Fidel Castro has a variety of American business people wondering if Cuba will soon become a major economic opportunity. Fidel Castro is sick -- but few feel certain about how sick the longtime leader is. His brother, Raul, is running the country on an interim basis.
• Iraq Policy Group May Bring Shift in U.S. Approach
  A highly anticipated report by the Iraq Study Group is expected to make recommendations for U.S. policy in Iraq, some of which might herald a dramatic departure from current policy. There is optimism that the White House will accept the recommendations.
• New Congress Gives Hope to Environmentalists
  Environmentalists inside and outside of Congress say Tuesday's election gives the support they need to go on the offensive on issues like climate change and clean energy.
• A GOP Senator Looks for the Way Forward
  Melissa Block talks with Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) about working with the Senate's new Democratic leadership.
• Sens. Durbin, Reid Meet Bush on New Footing
  Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)., who will be the second-ranking Democrat in the new Senate, visited the White House along with Harry Reid, who will be the Senate Majority leader when the Democrats take control in the new session. Melissa Block talks with Sen. Durbin.
• The Politics of the Capitol's New Power Structure
  The Democrats have won Congress and for the next two years, they will compete with the Bush administration for power in Washington. What should we expect?
• Brooklyn's Senator-Factory Keeps Working
  The list of high-ranking alumni produced by an old brick school building in Brooklyn, N.Y., now includes three U.S. senators, and each belongs to a different political party. Melissa Block talks with Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) about the growing legacy of James Madison High School.

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