Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Franken and Coleman have raised millions for recount
  Since last November's election the campaigns of Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken have collected a total of nearly $6.4 million dollars to help finance their recount operations.5:20 p.m.
• Math GRAD test changes in the works
  Minnesota lawmakers are working on an issue they say could keep thousands of current high school juniors from graduating next year.5:23 p.m.
• Kirk Anderson revisits his 'Banana Republic'
  Kirk Anderson drew the "Banana Republic: Adventures in Amnesia" strip for the Editorial pages of the Star Tribune. He wanted to spur debate on national and local political issues by creating a story about how a third world dictatorship deals with those same topics. The strips are now being published as a book.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Abuse Scandal Plagues Hasidic Jews In Brooklyn
  Two men have come forward with allegations that they were abused by leaders of their Hasidic community in Brooklyn when they were children. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect, known for devout religious beliefs and insular culture, says it has investigated the claims.
• Astrophysicist Chronicles The Battle Over Pluto
  Neil deGrasse Tyson has received hate mail for leading the charge to demote Pluto to a dwarf planet. The astrophysicist explores America's love affair with Pluto and how its status has evolved in his new book, The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet.
• Beyman Bros: The Thinking Person's Americana
  Actor and screenwriter Christopher Guest is probably best known for his role as Nigel Tufnel in the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, but he's always been a serious musician. For the first time in his career, Guest is sharing that side of his personality. He and several longtime friends calling themselves The Beyman Bros have just released their first CD, Memories of Summer as a Child.
• White House Calls Daschle Tax Issue 'Serious'
  President Barack Obama considers Tom Daschle's tax woes to be a "very serious" matter, but is confident the former Senate majority leader is the right person to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Daschle was to meet with the Senate Finance Committee Monday.
• A New FDA Chief Will Take Over Agency 'At Risk'
  The White House is looking to fill the position, and it's a tough one. Over the past 12 years, the Food and Drug Administration has had a permanent commissioner less than half the time. And the agency has been criticized in recent years for its handling of safety issues.
• Expert: U.S. Food Inspection Among Best
  Jorgen Schlundt, director of food safety, zoonoses and food-borne diseases at the World Health Organization, says that in some ways the U.S. has the best food-inspection practices in the world. He says, however, it could improve oversight of how food is produced.
• Cost And Confusion Plague Digital TV Conversion
  The deadline for conversion to digital television is scheduled for Feb. 17. But President Obama has asked for a delay out of concern that an estimated 6.5 million people still aren't ready for the transition.
• Should FEMA Remain Part Of Homeland Security?
  FEMA was absorbed into the Deparment of Homeland Security in 2003, but there's debate in Washington about whether it should regain its independent status. It's one of 22 agencies in Homeland Security, and some emergency officials say that's one reason that getting federal disaster aid can be difficult.
• American To Limit Passengers On Some Planes
  American Airlines has decided not to fill all the seats on some airplanes until it can be sure there are enough life rafts onboard for every passenger. The airline says a routine check of its 767-300s found that the planes were short on space for rafts. William Waldock, professor of safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, says airlines haven't had much experience in using life rafts in a real situation.
• Gaza Highlights Turkey's Unique Role In Middle East
  Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip severely strained ties with its one ally in the Middle East, Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently lashed out at Israel, and his outburst raises questions about Turkey's role as regional mediator.

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