Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• DFL leaders call for overhaul of state development agency
  DFL legislative leaders are blaming a lack of jobs, and the agency responsible for job creation, for the state's staggering projected $5.2 billion budget deficit.5:20 p.m.
• Wal-Mart to pay $54.25 million to settle Minn. lawsuit
  Retail giant Wal-mart has agreed to a $54 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed by workers in Minnesota. The settlement ends a long-running case in which the employees had accused Wal-mart of denying them pay for time worked and violating other work rules.5:24 p.m.
• Dealing with diuretics
  The Minnesota Vikings' are preparing for this Sunday's away game against the Arizona Cardinals, but whether the "Williams Wall" will be allowed to play is still unclear. Our regular medical analyst, Dr. Jon Hallberg, deals with this issue often.5:50 p.m.
• Minnesota students fare well in global comparison
  A new study finds that Minnesota students perform well in math and science compared to students in other countries.5:54 p.m.
• Dead Sea Scrolls coming to Minnesota
  A renowned piece of antiquity will be coming to Minnesota. The "Dead Sea Scrolls" will be on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota in early 2010.6:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Greek Riots Rage For Fourth Day
  Riots in major Greek cities have entered a fourth day after the weekend killing by police of a teenager. Much of downtown Athens has been closed because of the violence. John Psaropoulos, editor of the English-language newspaper The Athens News, offers his insight.
• Texas Residents Watch Hurricane Ike Debris Mount
  It has been almost three months since Hurricane Ike roared ashore and left a hulking pile of debris along a 30-mile stretch of the Texas coastline. As the state and federal government squabble over who will pay to remove it, residents are getting frustrated.
• Court Weighs 'Extraordinary Rendition' Case
  An appeals court heard arguments in the case of Maher Arar, a Canadian citizen who was arrested in New York and sent to Syria for interrogation. Arar is seeking permission to sue the U.S. government for violating his right to due process.
• With New Show, Leno Stays At NBC
  Starting in fall 2009, NBC is going to program its 10-11 p.m. hour with Jay Leno five nights a week. NBC wanted to keep Leno though it is committed to giving the 11:30 p.m. slot to Conan O'Brien in 2009, and it is cheaper to produce five hours of Leno than scripted dramas.
• High Court Hears Appeal From Tennessee Killer
  The Supreme Court has heard arguments in the case of a man convicted of murder in Tennessee. Gary Cone wants to reopen the conviction or at least the sentence of death because the prosecution allegedly hid evidence that supported his defense.
• Some Worry Car Czar Won't Fix Industry Woes
  Congress is on the verge of creating one of the toughest jobs in America: a car czar to oversee a sweeping restructuring of the troubled automakers. Some think the position won't have enough power to push through the kinds of changes that are needed.
• Columnist: Blagojeveich's 'Hubris' Surprising
  Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington says people are surprised by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's "hubris." She says accusations that he solicited bribes to fill Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat might make that position less desirable.
• Mos Def: From Hip-Hop Star To Chuck Berry
  Rapper Mos Def is not known for taking the artistically easy road. His film roles in Monster's Ball, Be Kind Rewind and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are as distinctive as the records that have made him a hip-hop icon. He talks about his latest film role, playing Chuck Berry in Cadillac Records.
• Should FEMA Be A Standalone Agency?
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency could look much different under the Obama administration. Although it is part of the Department of Homeland Security, some feel it would run better as a standalone agency that deals directly with the president. Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, who shares this view, offers his insight.
• S.C. Governor Opposes Obama Infrastructure Plan
  South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has expressed several reservations about president-elect Barack Obama's proposal to invest billions of dollars for infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy. He says it gives the federal government too much power.
• Death's Absence, Writ Large And Small
  Two new novels explore the consequences of a personified Death who fails to perform expected duties. Jonathan Carroll's The Ghost in Love focuses on an individual saved from Death, while Jose Saramago's Death with Interruptions examines an entire nation.
• U.S., Others Show Improvements In Math, Science
  The results of an international test of math and science knowledge have been released. The good news: U.S. students showed significant improvements. The not-so-good-news: so did everyone else.
• Ill. Governor Arrested On Corruption Charges
  Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on charges of plotting to sell an appointment to Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Prosecutors say Blagojevich, a Democrat, was heard telling associates the Senate appointment is "a valuable thing — you just don't give it away for nothing."
• Prosecutor: 'Lincoln Would Roll Over In His Grave'
  U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the charges against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich "would make Lincoln roll over in his grave." Blagojevich was arrested Monday on charges he tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.
• Will Blagojevich Arrest Affect Obama?
  President-elect Barack Obama comes from the same city and state as Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and it was the Obama seat in the Senate that Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell. Is it possible this scandal will leave the new president unsinged?

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