All Things Considered for November 14, 2007 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions grow
A new report says Minnesota and other Midwestern states produce more greenhouse gases than some countries.5:20 p.m.
Democrats blast Pawlenty on job numbers
DFL lawmakers, union workers and the chairman of the state DFL party Wednesday called on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to do more to improve the state's job climate.5:24 p.m.
Nelson-Pallmeyer hopes issues sway DFL delegates
Al Franken and Mike Ciresi have gotten most of the attention in the race to become the DFL-endorsed candidate to run against Republican Sen. Norm Coleman next year. But political scientists say Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer might attract support with issues that could play well with the type of liberal DFLers who will attend the convention.5:45 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Employers, Insurers Consider Overseas Health Care
"Medical tourism," the practice of traveling to other countries for medical care, was first embraced by consumers. But now, employers and health insurance companies are considering offering international treatment options to customers to save on costs.
French Unions Strike, Protesting Pension Changes
French public sector unions declare an indefinite strike in an effort to make French President Nicolas Sarkozy scrap plans to abolish their special pension rights. Sarkozy says the move is a necessary part of his economic reform program.
At Barney's, Green Is the New Black
Barney's, the trendiest of New York department stores, has heartily embraced environmental branding. When causes become trends, who wins?
FBI Finds Blackwater in Violation, Report Says
An FBI investigation has found that employees of Blackwater USA violated rules governing the use of deadly force in a September shooting incident that killed at least 17 Iraqis. That's according to a report in The New York Times.
Legislation on Wars' Private Contractors Advances
U.S. Rep. David Price (D-N.C.) is pushing legislation on Capitol Hill to hold private contractors working for the State Department and other agencies accountable for crimes committed in war zones. His bill passed the House by a wide margin, and a vote in the Senate is expected in the near future.
Top Federal Inspector's Blackwater Ties Scrutinized
The State Department's top inspector on Wednesday recused himself from investigations into matters involving Blackwater Worldwide. Howard Krongard made the move after learning in a congressional hearing that his brother is a member of the security contractor's advisory board.
Opposition Struggles to Unite Against Musharraf
Students joined the campaign against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday at the University of Punjab in Lahore, where cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was taken into custody. Pakistan's opposition parties are trying to forge a united front, but such political alliances are not easy.
Union Outsources Picket Lines to the Homeless
A carpenters' union in Washington, D.C., recruits homeless people from shelters and pays them $8 an hour to protest a construction firm. But some say renting pickets sends a bad message: that union members don't have the time or spirit to protect their jobs.
New York to Los Angeles in Less Than 32 Hours
In his book The Driver, Alexander Roy lays out how he drove from New York to Los Angeles in 31 hours and 4 minutes, stopping only six times. He explains how he prepared for what he says is a record-breaking road trip.
Stem-Cell Researchers Clone Monkey Embryo
Scientists in Oregon have announced another first in cloning: They have cloned a primate embryo. They say they used the cloned embryos to derive embryonic stem cells. Researchers hope to one day duplicate such a process in humans to create customized stem-cell therapies for patients.