Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• ICE quietly relaxes ban on using stun guns on jailed detainees
  When a Sherburne County Sheriff's deputy used a stun gun on a detained immigrant in 2007, he did not break jail rules. But the deputy appeared to violate standards set by the federal immigration officials for the treatment of detainees.4:20 p.m.
• Talks between nurses, hospitals make 'zero progress'
  The spokesman for the Minnesota Nurses Association said in an email that "zero progress" has been made between representatives from 14 Twin Cities hospitals and their nurses, as the two sides work to avoid a one-day nurse strike.4:45 p.m.
• Senate panel reprimands Chaudhary over fish flap
  A state senate ethics panel today reprimanded DFLer Satveer Chaudhary of Fridley for "violating the accepted norms of Senate behavior and threatening public confidence in the Legislature."5:20 p.m.
• Rwandan prosecutor says Erlinder retracted statements on genocide
  The Rwandan government's controversial detention of a Minnesota law professor took a series of unexpected turns Wednesday, with Rwandan officials announcing that the professor retracted his statements on the country's genocide and tried to commit suicide in jail.5:23 p.m.
• Dr. Jon Hallberg on allergies to medications
  It's a common question at the doctor's office, even during routine visits. Are you allergic to any medications?5:47 p.m.
• "Winter's Bone" examines rural poverty
  Film director Debra Granik knew she'd have a challenge portraying the complexities of life in isolated communities in the Ozarks. Her film "Winter's Bone" is getting praise from both critics and the people whose story she tells.5:53 p.m.
• ICE quietly relaxes ban on using stun guns on jailed detainees
  When a Sherburne County Sheriff's deputy used a stun gun on a detained immigrant in 2007, he did not break jail rules. But the deputy appeared to violate standards set by the federal immigration officials for the treatment of detainees.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Hunting Bruce, Or, On The Trail Of The 'Jaws' Shark
  Thirty-five years after Jaws, NPR's Cory Turner sets out to confront his childhood fear of the fictional great white by coming face to face with the beast that terrified America — if he can find it.
• Netanyahu Defends Israeli Raid On Flotilla
  In his first substantive comment on the deadly Israeli raid on a Turkish ship carrying relief supplies to Gaza, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the Israeli navy had no choice but to stop the vessel and five others to ensure that there were no arms on board destined for Hamas.
• Did Israeli Raid Violate International Law?
  When Israelis boarded the aid flotilla in international waters, were they violating international law? To discuss that issue, Robert Siegel talks to Myron Nordquist, professor of international law and associate director of the Center for Oceans Law and Policy at the University of Virginia.
• Israel's World Standing Hits A Low Point
  NPR Senior News Analyst Dan Schorr says Israel's commando raid on the "Freedom Flotilla" to Gaza has brought Israel's position in the community of nations to a new low, and at the same time, improved Hamas' position. It has also put peace talks in jeopardy.
• Militants Attack Afghan Peace Conference
  It was supposed to be a conference on peace, but it felt and sounded more like a war zone in Kabul on Wednesday as the long-awaited peace jirga to find a way to end the insurgency got under way. The Taliban pounded Kabul with rockets and sent three suicide bombers who were stopped by Afghan security forces. Inside the tent, President Hamid Karzai urged the 1,600 delegates to deliver a message of hope to the Afghan people when they finish their meeting on Friday.
• In Teacher Layoffs, Seniority Rules. But Should It?
  Like many districts nationwide, Cleveland schools CEO Eugene Sanders is facing a monster spending gap and may have to cut more than 500 teachers. But he's bound by a law to cut the last hired first. While the Cleveland Teachers Union supports this rule, Sanders and others find it frustrating -- and say it makes the process more painful.
• Oil Cleanup Dirty, Not Toxic, For Workers
  About 20,000 workers are toiling long hours to clean up all that oil in the Gulf of Mexico. One New Orleans hospital has seen 11 cleanup workers in the past few weeks with symptoms such as dizziness, headache and nausea. But the greatest risk is not chemicals, it's likely heat stress from people working long hours in temperatures hovering around 95 degrees.
• Next Stop On Blagojevich PR Tour: Court
  He's been on The View, Late Night with David Letterman, Celebrity Apprentice and a host of other shows -- all to profess his innocence. Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, has conducted his own PR campaign as he fights federal charges of corruption. Jury selection in his trial began Wednesday.
• Book Reviews: New Thrillers
  Book critic Alan Cheuse offers reviews of four new thrillers just out: Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; Alan Furst's Spies of the Balkans; Michael Gruber's The Good Son; and Justin Cronin's The Passage.
• Oil Reaches Shores Of Alabama, Mississippi
  The effects of the oil spill have spread to two new states. On Tuesday, oil washed up on the shores of Alabama and Mississippi, and it's expected to hit the Florida coastline by the end of the week. People there have been dreading the oil's arrival, and now that it's finally hit home, they are angry and frustrated about the inability of anyone to stop it.

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