All Things Considered for February 8, 2013 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Friday, February 8, 2013

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Policast with Mike Mulcahy
Each weekday, Policast brings you highlights of Minnesota Public Radio's award-winning political coverage, hosted by political editor Mike Mulcahy.3:37 p.m.
Minnesota Beard-Off to feature 100 hairy men (and some women)
Nearly 100 will compete for the Twin Cities beard championship title this weekend. Hirsute competitive beardsmen prepare for the show, combing, brushing, styling and conditioning.3:52 p.m.
The Cube Critics: Skip 'Side Effects' and 'Identity Thief,' see '56 Up'
Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis discuss "Side Effects," "Identity Thief" and "56 Up" in this week's Cube Critics.4:21 p.m.
MPD: Officer charged with child sex abuse no longer on force
Minneapolis police officials say the officer charged Friday with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with young girls is no longer on the force.5:22 p.m.
Minnesota Beard-Off to feature 100 hairy men (and some women)
Nearly 100 will compete for the Twin Cities beard championship title this weekend. Hirsute competitive beardsmen prepare for the show, combing, brushing, styling and conditioning.5:51 p.m.
The Cube Critics: Skip 'Side Effects' and 'Identity Thief,' see '56 Up'
Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis discuss "Side Effects," "Identity Thief" and "56 Up" in this week's Cube Critics.6:22 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Obama Team To Make Important, If Symbolic, Choice On Gay Marriage
By the end of this month, the federal government is expected to file briefs in a pair of same-sex marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. One case poses questions so difficult that the president himself is expected to make the final decision on what arguments the Justice Department will make.
Week In Politics: Drones, Brennan's Confirmation Hearing
Audie Cornish talks to regular political commentators E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and Brookings Institution, and David Brooks of The New York Times. They discuss the U.S. drone program, John Brennan's confirmation hearing, and President Obama's upcoming State of the Union address.
Northeast Storm Likely To End Up In The Record Books
People in the Northeast were stocking up and hunkering down in anticipation of Friday's major snowstorm. The Boston area is expected to be buried under more than 28 inches of snow and some areas may experience winds as high as 70 miles per hour before the storm blows out this weekend.
'Identity Thief': Nearly Two Hours, Stolen
The individual ingredients that make up Identity Thief could add up to a great movie. But the digital-age mistaken-identity comedy wastes a talented leading actress and a passable plot; it's a predictable trudge of a road movie.
Former LAPD Officer Accused Of Killing Three People Spent Time In The Navy
Police in southern California are still searching for Christopher Dorner, the fired Los Angeles police officer who is wanted for three murders and other shootings since the weekend. Robert Siegel speaks with Joel Rubin, who has been covering the story for The Los Angeles Times.
New York City Mayor Takes Anti-Gun Campaign To Illinois
Guns are now a key issue in the race to replace former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.). Gun violence plagues some of the Chicago neighborhoods that are part of the district, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun political action committee is targeting one of the contenders for the seat.
Iran's President Draws Long-Simmering Feud Out Into The Open
With Iranian presidential voting just over four months away, it's clear that top politicians are not heeding the supreme leader's call to maintain decorum. Recent days have seen a long-simmering feud between the Parliament speaker and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad erupt into the open with secret videos alleging corruption by the speaker's powerful family and the brief arrest of a key Ahmadinajad ally. Analysts wonder, if the gloves are coming off this early in the campaign, what the coming weeks will bring.
Could Reclusive Designer Balenciaga Make It Today?
In the '40s and '50s, Cristobal Balenciaga was an international fashion star — but a lot has changed since then. Fashion writer Robin Givhan says today's fashion world demands that designers "have the personality of a celebrity." That may not have gone over well with the secretive Spaniard.
Historic Blizzard Freezes Transit In Northeast U.S.
The blizzard that is battering the Northeast has disrupted transit throughout the region and beyond. Thousands of flights have been canceled. Amtrak and commuter trains have stopped running in many places, and people are trying to find a safe place to wait out the storm.
Some In Northeast Turn Down Chance To Sell Sandy-Damaged Homes
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to spend up to $400 million to buy and demolish homes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Some homeowners are eager to sell. But others plan to rebuild at the beach, no matter what the state wants.