Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts
  A Minnesota judge has ordered the state to reinstate money for a food program that Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut from the budget, saying he acted unconstitutionally.5:19 p.m.
• Music in the midst of Sri Lanka's civil war
  Minnesota and journalist Jesse Hardman got an inside view of the brutal civil war in Sri Lanka, and in the midst of the chaos he came upon an amazing story of a forgotten people.5:22 p.m.
• Gym using judo to help kids tackle larger issues
  In the sport of judo, contestants try to flip, fling or wrestle each other to the ground and keep them there; and in north Minneapolis, some neighborhood residents are using judo to help them tackle some larger problems.5:51 p.m.
• Memorable stories of 2009
  Over the course of a year, Minnesota Public Radio's reporters, producers and hosts talk to hundreds of people from all walks of life. Some make a bigger impression than others. Some stories involve a behind-the-scenes challenge. MPR journalists each selected a story or show that was the most memorable to them.6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Vote On TSA Nominee Caught Up In Union Dispute
  The failed Dec. 25 airline bombing has spotlighted the fact that the Transportation Security Administration has been without a permanent leader for a year. A GOP senator put a hold on President Obama's nominee because the administration won't rule out collective bargaining for airport screeners.
• In Bomb Plot Probe, Spotlight Falls On Yemeni Cleric
  Anwar al-Awlaki is believed to be targeting young men seeking guidance. He has been linked to the alleged Fort Hood shooter, among others.
• WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors
  During World War II, several thousand conscientious objectors who refused to go to war were instead assigned to work in state mental hospitals. Many of the institutions were filthy, run-down and staffed with abusive workers. Charlie Lord worked at one in Philadelphia and secretly photographed the horrific conditions.
• Landowner Calls On Death To Save Her Farm
  A few years ago, trees started coming down across the road from Joan Graham's Michigan horse farm. She set in place a plan to conserve her land after her death by giving it to a conservancy. But just to be safe, she added a grave twist: She would have her body — and anyone else who wanted to join her — buried on the land.
• A Lucky Wren In A Warehouse
  For a bird lover like essayist Julie Zickefoose, finding a parched, tired and scared Carolina wren in a carpet warehouse was heartbreaking. Freeing it, though, was liberating.
• No Such Thing As 'Too Much' Alice Munro
  Too Much Happiness, the newest collection of short stories from the master of the form, features a cast of lovers and losers, husbands and widows, scientists and woodworkers. "Is there anyone writing short fiction today in English who has more authority?" asks reviewer Alan Cheuse.
• Obscure Music Finds An Outlet On The Web
  Advances in digital technology over the past decade have made it easier and cheaper to distribute music. But that doesn't necessarily mean those cherished, obscure LPs are turning up online — at least not legally.
• New Details In Failed Plane Plot
  U.S. intelligence collected intercepts from Yemen referring to a Nigerian being prepared for a terrorist attack before the failed attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day. Also, the CIA met with the suspected terrorist's father last month and was warned about the Nigerian student's potential ties to extremists.
• 'You Lie,' 'Hands Off' Among Year's Top Quotes
  The quotes of current times are not great rhetorical speeches, but outbursts and clever remarks. This year's No. 1 quote, as selected by the The Yale Book of Quotations: "Keep your government hands off my Medicare," uttered by an anonymous attendee at a town hall health care meeting in South Carolina.
• Capturing The Brief Life And Death Of An Infant
  Joanna Blum and Ashley Hutcheson talk about their extraordinary meeting to record the life and passing of Baruch Levi Blum. On Dec. 1, Blum gave birth to Baruch Levi. He weighed 2 pounds, 11 ounces. He lived about 10 minutes. Hutcheson, a photographer, was there to document his birth.

The Dinner Party Download™

A fast, funny digest of the week's most interesting news, cuisine, cocktails and culture.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories