Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New science on fetal alcohol exposure
  New research and studies seek to answer questions about how alcohol affects a fetal brain. The goal is to diagnose children with fetal alcohol syndrome earlier.4:49 p.m.
• Minneapolis cops file discrimination lawsuit
  Five African-American police officers are suing the Minneapolis Police Department and police chief Tim Dolan, alleging race discrimination.5:19 p.m.
• Pork plant employees contract neurological illness
  The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating a cluster of 11 cases of neurological illness in workers at Quality Pork Processors, Inc. in Austin, Minnesota.5:24 p.m.
• New director hopes to complete Minnesota's electronic criminal records system
  CrimNet, Minnesota's electronic criminal record system, was designed to allow local, county and statewide criminal justice personnel access to all of the state's criminal records information electronically. But after a decade of work, the project is still unfinished.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Bush and Congress Gear Up for a Fight
  President Bush came out swinging Monday as Congress returned from a two-week recess. But if the president thinks he has the upper hand, he may have another thing coming, as he takes on Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.
• Imus Returns to Radio for Shot at Redemption
  Radio shock-jock Don Imus returned to the air Monday, repentant but, in the eyes of critics, not yet redeemed. His new program airs on WABC in New York and has limited national distribution.
• Iowa's Christian Conservatives Seeking Candidate
  Christian conservatives are a key voting block for the GOP, but many Republican candidates have personal profiles or past policy positions that raise red flags for the religious right. Pastor Mike Rose of Des Moines, Iowa, says he's among those having a hard time backing any GOP presidential contender.
• NIE Report on Iran Contradicts Bush Claims
  A new U.S. intelligence report on Iran says Tehran may be able to develop a nuclear weapon between 2010 and 2015. But the National Intelligence Estimate finds that Iran halted its development program in the fall of 2003 — contradicting claims by the Bush administration.
• Take a Hint from Nation's Money Woes
  With the U.S. dollar slumping, the housing market in a funk and a recession possibly looming around the corner, it's an important time to remind ourselves that being rich isn't all it's cracked up to be.
• Russia Dismisses Election Criticism from West
  President Vladimir Putin's party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections Sunday. International observers condemn the elections, saying they were not free or fair. But Russian officials, including Putin himself, dismiss the criticism, saying it is politically driven from the West.
• Romney Outlines Stance on Health Care, Abortion
  Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, was campaigning in Iowa during the weekend. He talks to Robert Siegel about health care, religion and why he thinks Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
• Defeated Chavez: Socialist Revolution Goes On
  This weekend, voters rejected constitutional changes that would have given Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez added powers. Chavez said his acceptance of the outcome proves he's no dictator, but that this isn't the end of his effort to reform the constitution.
• Political Campaigns Join Holiday TV Lineup
  With Iowa kick-starting the presidential primary season just two days after New Year's, residents in many states will find their holiday spirit interrupted by politics. And to cap it all off, the Super Bowl comes two days before the 20-state "Super Duper Tuesday" primaries Feb. 5.
• Denmark Undergoes a Musical Makeover
  The Danish band Aqua had a big hit called "Barbie Girl." Ten years ago, it was No. 1 all over the world. But since then, Denmark has had a relatively low musical profile internationally. That doesn't mean that nothing has been going on. In fact, there's quite a groundswell of music in the country.
• Pitt's Star Power Fuels New Orleans Rebuilding
  Actor Brad Pitt, who moved with his family to New Orleans a year ago, is spearheading a project to build affordable, safe and sustainable homes in the city's Lower Ninth Ward. He has committed $5 million of his own money to the effort.
• Geophysicist Shares a Song of Earth's Polarity
  The SoundClips series continues with a submission from listener Dave Engebretson. Engebretson has been legally blind all of his life, so he pays special attention to sound. He submits audio that is analogous to the history of Earth's magnetic field reversals.
• Putin Is a Reminder of Russia's Unpleasant Past
  Vladimir Putin's sweeping election victory in Russia is a step toward reinstating the cult of personality of old Russian leaders like Lenin and Stalin.
• Guantanamo Case Goes Beyond Detainee Rights
  On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether prisoners there must have access to U.S. courts to challenge their detention. But the case also raises questions about what to do with released detainees, whose home countries may not want to take them back.
• In 'Fuerzabruta,' the Audience Gets In on the Act
  New off-Broadway show puts patrons at the center of the action — which involves flying actors, shattered walls, and a see-through pool suspended inches above the audiences' heads.

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