All Things Considered for June 3, 2008 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

The Twin Cities bass foundation
Veteran Minneapolis musician Gordon Johnson has a reputation for being the Twin Cities' go-to jazz bassist. He's admired by fellow musicians and fans for his versatility and impeccable playing, and has just released his latest CD, "GJ4."4:45 p.m.
Long line is fine for Obama faithful
Officials estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 people stood in a line that snaked through the heart of St. Paul. Many in the line said they were drawn to the event because they felt it was a chance to be part of history.5:20 p.m.
Auditor: No basis to investigate AG Swanson
Auditor James Nobles said Lori Swanson's accusers were credible, but they offered no evidence of any illegal activity. Nobles also suggested that Swanson, a first-term Democrat, address the management problems that are hobbling her office.5:24 p.m.
Debate in Minneapolis over city's protest permit policy
Members of the Minneapolis city council are at odds over a proposal to regulate public demonstrations.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Clothier's Bulletproof Designs Merge Style, Safety
Miguel Caballero first started making bulletproof clothes in his native Colombia in the early 1990s, when the country was awash in violence. Now, he's opened a store selling protective business suits, biker jackets and other fashions in Mexico, which has seen a huge surge in violence recently.
Government Moves on Yucca Nuclear Waste Site
The long-awaited application, 8,600 pages long, is so big it had to be delivered by truck. In order for licenses to be granted, the documents need to show that the proposed Yucca Mountain repository won't leak dangerous amounts of radioactive material.
Summer Books to Feed Your Literary Addiction
Alan Cheuse confesses his literary addiction — and offers reading suggestions for other book junkies.
Primary Season Wraps Up
South Dakota and Montana are the final two states to hold primaries this year. Once the voting is over, Barack Obama could reach the magic number for claiming the Democratic presidential nomination. No declaration of victory is expected, however, until Hillary Clinton decides how to respond.
Montana Voters Get Last Word in Primary Campaign
Barbara Theroux, owner of Fact and Fiction, an independent bookstore in Missoula, Mont., offers some insight into how Montanans are reacting to all the national attention from Tuesday's primary election.
U.N. World Food Crisis Talks Open
The U.N.'s summit on the world's food crisis opens in Rome on Tuesday, with calls for reform of international agriculture. The presence of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, however, diverts attention away from the conference itself.
Feds Aim to Dismantle L.A.'s 18th Street Gang
The FBI has been trying to take down the 18th Street gang in Los Angeles for more than a decade, but generations of gang leaders have made it difficult. One gang leader even ran his "loyal soldiers" from prison.
GM to Close Four Plants, Reevaluate Hummer Brand
General Motors is closing four plants in North America, a move prompted by soaring gas prices and slumping sales of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. At the same time, GM plans a new emphasis on compact cars and is reviewing the future of the Hummer.
NGOs Step In Where Iraq Government Is Absent
The lack of governmental support on both the local and national level in Iraq has seen the flowering of grassroots groups that privately fund all sorts of things. A group in Karrada banded together to help 400 widows and orphans. Their actions embody the threatened belief that neighbors should help neighbors.
Art Sales to Benefit Iraqi Artists
"Oil on Landscape" is the name of an art exhibit that's just opened at the Pomegranate Gallery in New York. The artworks — which didn't exactly get to the U.S. through the proper channels — come from a country whose people know all about oil — Iraq. They were shipped out by a former U.S. Navy officer in hopes of selling them, so he could send the money back to the impoverished artists.