All Things Considered for February 6, 2006 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, February 6, 2006

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

U of M clinic helps adoptive families
The University of Minnesota has become a pioneer in the developing field of adoptive medicine. It's home to the International Adoption Clinic, which helps adoptive parents with their children's physical and mental health challenges.5:20 p.m.
Judge rules Twins can leave Metrodome after this season
A judge ruled Monday that the Minnesota Twins don't have to play in the Metrodome beyond the 2006 season, increasing pressure on lawmakers to approve a stadium funding package this spring.5:50 p.m.
They're 'our' trout
Early in the 1900s, wildlife officials brought brook trout from New England to stock streams in southeast Minnesota. They looked and behaved like the brook trout already in those streams. But new genetic research shows the fish in those streams today are the ancestors of the native brook trout, and not the ones brought in from the east. Tom Crann talked with Saint Cloud State genetics professor Loren Miller, who conducted the genetic "fingerprinting" that led to this doscovery.5:53 p.m.
Josephine's mounting debt
Last October we introduced you to Josephine Ruiz, 72, who was worried that she wouldn't be able to keep up with her heating bill this winter. So she planned to get by with as little heat as possible by turning her thermostat way down and by using lots of blankets, a heating pad and her dog for warmth. We checked in with Ruiz recently to find out how her plan is going.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Daniel Bernard Roumain's 'Dred Violin'
Daniel Bernard Roumain doesn't fit the image of a classical musician. The Haitian-American violinist and composer, who sports a silver nose ring and dreadlocks, was inspired by jazz, rock and hip-hop. He dubs his style "dred violin."
Budget Boosts Defense Spending, Cuts Medicare
The White House releases its budget for the 2007 fiscal year. The plan totals $2.77 trillion -- with sizeable increases in defense and homeland security spending. But it also reduces funding to more than 140 social programs, including Medicare -- and assumes some tax cuts will be made permanent.
Democrats Criticize Budget Cuts for Social Programs
Democrats are unhappy with the budget proposed by President Bush that would boost spending on the war on terror while cutting social programs. Some Republicans have problems with the budget too -- though the two parties may not always agree on what those problems are or how to solve them.
Moussaoui Disrupts First Day of Sentencing Trial
Defendant Zacarias Moussaoui repeatedly interrupts efforts to select a jury during the first day of his sentencing trial. Moussaoui has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the Sept. 11 attacks. The jurors will determine whether Moussaoui receives the death penalty.
Kansas Church Uses Funerals for Anti-Gay Protests
As Atlanta readies for Coretta Scott King's funeral Tuesday, police brace for Fred Phelps and members of his Kansas church. Phelps has exploited funerals for virulent, anti-gay protests. The controversial preacher says state efforts to neutralize his protests violate his First Amendment rights. Frank Morris of member station KCUR reports.
A Symphony of Truck Horns
One musical act that didn't make the halftime show at this past weekend's Super Bowl was Alexander Pollack's truck horn symphony. We spoke with Pollack in November about his plans for the National Anthem and other songs to be performed on the air horns. Now, we hear the results.
Learning a Lesson or Two from Arabic Hip-Hop
Commentator Aaron Freeman recently spent a couple of hours watching Arabic hip-hop videos. He says that hip-hop is an American form, but that U.S. rappers might do well to learn a lesson from their Arabic-speaking colleagues.
'Detective to the Stars' Pellicano Indicted
In Los Angeles, celebrity private eye Anthony Pellicano pleads not guilty to federal charges of racketeering and conspiracy. Pellicano faces more than 100 counts of illegally wiretapping and spying on some major stars. Many observers wonder if some of his clients also may face prosecution.
Gonzales Defends U.S. Wiretapping Program
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies at a Senate hearing in defense of President Bush's program of warrantless eavesdropping on some domestic communications. The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding its first of several hearings on whether the program is legal.
Assessing the Effectiveness of NSA Eavesdropping
The Washington Post's Barton Gellman talks to Robert Siegel about what is known about the effectiveness of warrantless eavesdropping in identifying terror suspects in the United States. Gellman says the evidence he has found suggests the program isn't very efficient.