Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Mayo researchers unlock mystery of breast cancer drug
  Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say they've discovered why the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen is effective. And in doing so, they've found why the drug does not work in some women. The discovery could allow them to develop drugs for women whose cancers don't respond to tamoxifen.4:49 p.m.
• Young adult novelist details his craft
  Imagine the earnestness of the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. Add some wry wit, elaborate imagination and a healthy dose of satire and you have the work of M.T Anderson. He's in Minnesota this week for events at the Hennepin County Library and talked to Tom Crann about what drives young adult novelists like him.4:54 p.m.
• Minnesota Guard members prepare for a year in war zone
  National Guard commanders today offered details of the deployment, which will involve 1,037 soldiers.5:19 p.m.
• What is a stimulus meant to do for states?
  Minnesota is one of over 40 states facing a budget shortfall. Three Governors who appeared on Captiol Hill today warned of shrinking revenues and painful budget cuts. Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum was in the hearing room today and she talked to Tom Crann about what she heard.5:24 p.m.
• Some charities see good news and bad in the economy
  The bad economy is putting pressure on non-profit charities in the state. There's higher demand and fewer funding dollars to go around. But for charity organizations that sell donated items in second-hand stores, these tough economic times bring both good news and bad news.5:50 p.m.
• Thrift store aficionado Kevin Zepper
  While many retailers predict a gloomy holiday shopping season, for now, the tough economy is apparently bringing more shoppers to thrift stores. So Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson went shopping with Moorhead poet and thrift store aficionado Kevin Zepper, to see what treasures holiday shoppers might find.5:55 p.m.
• Proponents make case for instant runoff voting in Minneapolis
  A lawsuit in Minneapolis is testing the city's plan to change the way it elects local officials. The IRV opponents and supporters were in court today, and Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Nelson was there. He joined Tom Crann to explain IRV and what happened in court today.6:15 p.m.
• The Morning Show's final broadcast
  Minnesota Public Radio bids so long to The Morning Show, one of its longest running and most beloved programs, with a live broadcast this morning at the Fitzgerald Theater. The final broadcast with hosts Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole begins at 6 a.m. Follow the action with a live blog and photos of the program.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Illinois Lt. Governor Seeks Blagojevich's Ouster
  Pat Quinn tells NPR if Illinois legislators do not begin impeachment hearings soon, he supports taking the case to the state Supreme Court to remove Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. He says he wasn't surprised Blagojevich allegedly tried to sell Obama's Senate seat.
• With Earlier Leno, Whither TV Drama?
  This week, NBC announced that comedian Jay Leno would stay at the network past his 2009 contract deadline and host a new prime-time show five days a week. Anthony E. Zuiker, co-creator of the CSI franchise, talks about how that will affect scripted television.
• Elliott Carter's Century Of Music
  He was born in 1908, the year Henry Ford introduced the Model T. At age 100, Elliott Carter is still composing music. Today, he continues to amaze, and occasionally confound, his fans and critics.
• Obama: Staff Had No Idea Of Ill. Scandal
  President-elect Barack Obama says he is "certain" his staff had no role in the filling of his former Senate seat. The remarks came in a news conference called to name former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as his secretary of health and human services.
• Economist: Health Care Key To Stimulus
  Uwe Reinhardt, professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University, calls the health care sector the "strongest economic locomotive working for us." He estimates that by 2015, health care will be one-fifth the size of the U.S. economy and says this is a good time to expand health insurance coverage for the uninsured.
• Dropped Calls: When Cell Phone Meets Toilet
  Many people go to the bathroom with their cell phones. And sometimes, the phone ends up answering the call of nature. "It happens quite often," says an official at Simplexity, an online wireless phone reseller.
• Juarez Sees Huge Spike In Drug-Related Murders
  Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is being torn apart by a drug war. The number of murders in the city is nearly five times the number of killings last year, and local and federal authorities are having an difficult time depressing the crime rate. About seven people are being killed daily.
• Blagojevich No Stranger To Controversy
  Even before this scandal erupted, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, was under a cloud. Ray Long, statehouse correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, says Blagojevich ran for governor as a reformer, but before long had become unpopular.
• Advocates Want Bush Abortion Policies Reversed
  Abortion-rights backers want quick action from the president-elect, although they may not press for sweeping changes. Obama has said he is looking to find common ground on reproductive health issues.
• Bush Issues Last-Minute Rules On Environment
  The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it is dropping some rules that could have had a negative impact on air quality. Meanwhile, the Interior Department has announced last-minute rules on endangered species.

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