All Things Considered for February 9, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, February 9, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Franken lawyer hits Coleman team for trial tedium
Democrat Al Franken is objecting to the way Republican Norm Coleman is presenting his case in Coleman's lawsuit over their U.S. Senate race.5:20 p.m.
Iron Range hoping stimulus jumpstarts mining industry
With the taconite industry in the dumps, many people on Minnesota's Iron Range are eagerly awaiting a federal stimulus package. Already one taconite company has shut down production and others have trimmed workers. In Minnesota, the Iron Range might be one of the first beneficiaries of a stimulus.5:22 p.m.
Ice storm warnings canceled for NE Minn.
The National Weather Service canceled its ice storm warnings Monday night for the Duluth area, the Iron Range, the Arrowhead and the North Shore. It said temperatures had warmed above freezing.5:49 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Fruit Fly Scientists Swatted Down Over 'Cheap Date'
When scientist discover something new, they sometimes get to name it. Scientists have labeled fruit fly genes things like "Cheap Date," and "I'm Not Dead Yet." But patients can take offense to this when they're diagnosed with having "Lunatic Fringe."
Israeli Ultranationalist Expected To Gain In Election
Polls suggest Israel's election Tuesday will result in a strong rightward tilt to the new government. The race is tight between the conservative Likud party and the centrist Kadima party. But the political kingmaker in any new coalition government is expected to be Avigdor Lieberman, an ultranationalist right-wing candidate.
Chanteuse Blossom Dearie Dies At 82
With her wispy, delicate voice, Dearie was a darling of the jazz world for decades. Her biggest hit was "I'm Hip," and she even recorded with Schoolhouse Rock. The cabaret singer and pianist died Saturday of natural causes in her New York City home. She was 82.
In Indiana, Obama Pitches Stimulus Plan
President Barack Obama traveled to Elkhart, Ind., for a town hall meeting to promote the economic stimulus package. The administration hopes the city's poor economic situation will help ease the bill's passage after a week of partisan bickering.
Elkhart, Ind., RV Dealer Weighs In On Economy
RV makers in Elkhart County, Ind., cut nearly 7,000 jobs last year. The county is home to Elkhart, where President Barack Obama pushed his economic stimulus package Monday. The RV industry is vital to the economy in the area, but Rob Reid, owner of Great Lakes RV Center in Elkhart, says business is a "struggle," though people are keeping a positive outlook.
Employees Take To Cyberspace To Vent
These days, employees are increasingly going online to find out what's really going on at their company and to let off steam about the frustrations of corporate life. Workers across industries find the Web — and its anonymity — a friendly place to share frustrations.
Letters: IBM, Phelps, Correction
Listeners respond to stories on IBM's project to match laid-off workers with jobs in developing countries at local wages, and Michael Phelps' troubles.
Government To Unveil New TARP Rules
The Treasury Department plans to stretch the remaining money from the Troubled Assets Relief Fund by working with the private sector to buy bad assets from struggling banks. The government will announce Tuesday exactly how it will do this.
National Guard Fights Drop In Recruits
The troubled economy is helping to boost recruiting in the active-duty Army, but not in the National Guard, where recruiting is expected to be off about 20 percent for January. The need for a steady paycheck is keeping potential recruits away.
USS Cole Commander Discusses Obama Meeting
President Barack Obama met Friday with about 40 family members of those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the bombing of the USS Cole. The goal was to discuss the decision to close Guantanamo Bay. Kirk Lippold, the former commander of the USS Cole, who was at the meeting, says he went into it "very guarded," but characterized the meeting as "good."