Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Interviews with Bachmann and Ellison
  The newly-elected congressional representatives from around the country have all been in Washington for orientation sessions. The sessions have ranged from choosing staff to learning about ethics regulations. Economics editor Chris Farrell was in Washington, and he caught up with two of the new members of Minnesota's delegation from adjoining districts, Republican Michele Bachmann, in the 6th District, and DFLer Keith Ellison from the 5th.4:50 p.m.
• Mother of kidnapped Minnesotan: 'I want my son back'
  Paul Reuben, a former St. Louis Park police officer, was one of four American private security contractors who, along with an Austrian co-worker, were being held by what Iraqi security officials were calling a criminal gang in the country's Safwan region.5:15 p.m.
• A Hmong anniversary
  The Hmong have been a presence in Minnesota for three decades. The first arrivals came in the mid-'70s. Now the community is more than 50,000 strong. And the arrival of one of the first Hmong families to the state will be marked this weekend by a St. Paul church. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.5:18 p.m.
• Carlton County's historic songs
  Some kids in Cloquet have found a different way to learn about their history. They've been working all week with folksinger Charlie Maguire, composing songs about the region.5:23 p.m.
• Dean Johnson's future may involve a run against Coleman
  Outgoing Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson says he's considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2008. Johnson is the latest DFLer to say he is thinking about challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman in two years.5:50 p.m.
• Sometimes it's best to ditch diplomacy
  Diplomacy has its limits, and some wonder if talk is the right solution. Here are some stories from people who have ditched diplomacy for confrontation, with mixed results.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• In Iraq, Gunmen Kidnap Americans from Convoy
  In the third mass kidnapping in Iraq in the space of a week, gunmen attack a supply convoy near the border with Kuwait, seizing five Western contractors, including four Americans.
• Big College Programs Face a Money Dilemma
  Michele Norris continues her conversation with Stefan Fatsis of The Wall Street Journal, discussing the financial impact of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry and the proposal to build luxury "sky boxes" in Michigan's stadium, which has led to a battle between those who want to increase football revenue and "traditionalists" who feel the egalitarian seating arrangement in the current stadium is appropriate.
• Wolverines, Buckeyes Play for High Stakes
  Another chapter in the fabled rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan's football teams will be written Saturday, when the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes host No. 2 Michigan, a game whose winner may well play for the national championship. Both teams are undefeated; the hype seems beyond anything in the 102-year history of the rivalry. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kassler reports.
• FDA OKs Types of Silicone Implants, Ending Ban
  The Food and Drug Administration this evening has approved broad marketing of two types of silicone breast implants, ending a 14-year moratorium on their use in this country for most women. Proponents say they're safe; opponents cite problems from scar tissue to immune disorders and cancer.
• Schembechler Was Legend in College Sports
  Michele Norris talks with Wall Street Journal sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the death of Bo Schembechler and about big-time college sports.
• Michigan Coaching Legend Schembechler Dies
  The man who became one of college football's great coaches during two decades at the University of Michigan has died. Bo Schembechler collapsed today during the taping of a television show. He was 77. Steve Carmody reports.
• The Evolution of James Bond Continues
  Michele Norris talks with NPR film critic Bob Mondello about the evolution of James Bond. The 21st official Bond film, Casino Royale comes out today, with a new Bond. Mondello says Daniel Craig's Bond recalls the style and humanity of the early days.
• Denver Mayor to Pay Election-Day Parking Tickets
  Some Denver voters who received parking tickets on Election Day -- brought on, they say, by long lines at the city's polling stations -- will have their tickets paid for by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Computer problems created delays around the city; the mayor is offering to pay the fines of people ticketed within six blocks of a voting center during voting hours. Melissa Block talks with Hickenlooper.
• French Socialists Put Woman Forward for President
  France moves one step closer to having its first woman president, as the country's Socialist Party selects lawmaker Segolene Royal as its candidate for 2007. Royal won over 60 percent of the vote, avoiding a run-off and soundly defeating her two male rivals.
• Get Troops Out of Iraq by 2007, Expert Says
  We conclude our week of discussions about what the U.S. should do about Iraq. Melissa Block talks with William Polk, co-author of Out of Iraq: A Practical Plan for Withdrawal Now. Polk proposes starting withdrawal this year, and completing it by mid-2007.
• Citing Taliban's Rise, Militias Seek to Re-Arm
  The rise of the Taliban insurgency in southern Afghanistan threatens to destabilize the country's north, where militia commanders, are openly calling for their men to be re-armed. Some northern militia commanders agreed to hand over their weapons to the United Nations after the overthrow of the Taliban.
• Release of Sony, Nintendo Systems Bring a Rush
  Gamers have been waiting for sometime for the rollout of new video game consoles. At midnight Friday, Sony's Playstation 3 went on sale. Sunday, Nintendo's Wii will be available.
• Meat Workers Walk Out, Protesting ID Checks
  At the world's largest pork processor, Smithfield in Tar Heel, N.C., 500 non-union workers walked off the job. They're protesting the company's firing of workers whose Social Security numbers could not be verified. From member station WUNC, Leoneda Inge reports.
• GOP Tries to Map Its Way Back to Power
  President Bush says the Republicans took a "thumping" in last week's midterm elections. Republicans are now in the minority in the House and the Senate. So what should they do now? Robert Siegel asks influential Republicans about how their party should respond.
• Major Parties Cast About for Ways to Attract Latinos
  This week, Sen. Mel Martinez was named as chairman of the Republican National Committee. His appointment is meant to draw more Latinos to the GOP. But commentator Daniel Hernandez says that kind of thinking shows that while the Republicans -- and the Democrats -- want more Latino voters, they don't really understand how to attract them.

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