Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• After the nurses strike, what's next?
  Nurses are back on the job in the Twin Cities, after 12,000 of them walked the picket lines Thurday in a one-day protest against stalled contract negotiations. But those contract talks don't appear headed toward a resolution.3:49 p.m.
• Bobcat Goldthwaite not dead -- just writing and directing
  Bobcat Goldthwait is known as the zany screeching comedian who appeared in the "Police Academy" movies, and who set alight Jay Leno's couch on the Tonight Show. Nowadays he's a writer and director of movies about despicable people, and pays for it by doing stand up.3:53 p.m.
• Police learn lessons after shooting of mentally ill woman 10 years ago
  After Minneapolis police fatally shot and killed a woman with bipolar disorder 10 years ago, departments and advocates have been trying to make sure similar tragedies won't happen again.4:50 p.m.
• After the nurses strike, what's next?
  Nurses are back on the job in the Twin Cities, after 12,000 of them walked the picket lines Thurday in a one-day protest against stalled contract negotiations. But those contract talks don't appear headed toward a resolution.5:20 p.m.
• Pawlenty reaches out to new audience on 'The Daily Show'
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty is getting good reviews for his appearance on "The Daily Show" last night.5:50 p.m.
• Land O'Lakes to pay $25M in egg price-fixing case
  Land O'Lakes, one of more than 10 egg producers that a group of restaurants and food processing companies claims conspired to fix egg prices nationwide, has agreed to a $25 million settlement, according to a court filing.5:55 p.m.
• Bobcat Goldthwaite not dead -- just writing and directing
  Bobcat Goldthwait is known as the zany screeching comedian who appeared in the "Police Academy" movies, and who set alight Jay Leno's couch on the Tonight Show. Nowadays he's a writer and director of movies about despicable people, and pays for it by doing stand up.6:20 p.m.
• Layton James Leaves the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
  John Birge talks with Layton "Skip" James on leaving the SPCO.6:25 p.m.
• Cuts to health care for poor in greater Minn. hit hard
  Bruce Lundmark, a 54-year-old Vietnam veteran from Bagley on GAMC, is in the midst of getting fitted for dentures. But because of the cuts to the welfare program, he doesn't know how he'll pay for the procedure.11:24 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• U.S., Allies Slowly Launch Effort To Tame Kandahar
  Thousands of U.S. troops are heading into southern Afghanistan for what is being called the most important operation of the nine-year war. A tough battle in Kandahar — against Taliban militants as well as corruption, incompetence and lack of governance — lies ahead.
• A New Name For A Possible New Southern Sudan
  Southern Sudan is expected to vote on a referendum on independence in January. Host Robert Siegel talks with Simon Anholt, who advises governments on questions of national identity and reputation, about the possible names the region could consider if the referendum passes. Two possible suggestions are Southern Sudan and New Sudan. Anholt believes it could do better than those, given that the name Sudan has a negative reputation.
• Week In Politics: Primaries, Boxer's Hair
  Robert Siegel speaks with our regular political commentators, E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and Brookings Institution and David Brooks of The New York Times, about Tuesday's primaries. They also discuss California Sen. Barbara Boxer's Republican challenger, Carly Fiorina, and her remarks about Boxer's hair.
• BP To Bring In More Ships To Capture Oil
  New numbers released Thursday show the amount of oil gushing from the Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico may be twice as much as previously thought. The estimate puts the spill at 20,000 to 40,000 barrels a day. Melissa Block talks with NPR's Richard Harris about the latest efforts to contain the spill.
• Britons Bristle At American Attacks On BP
  BP had been under pressure from Washington to suspend its second-quarter dividend and use the funds to intensify cleanup operations in the Gulf. But many Britons have taken umbrage at some U.S. criticism of BP, saying that the tone has become distinctly anti-British.
• 'Joan Rivers': Uncut And Unvarnished
  Filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg followed comedian Joan Rivers for a year, and this revealing documentary is the end result of their work. The film shows that Rivers is more than the egomaniacal joke machine audiences may see onstage. (Recommended)
• The Gaslight Anthem: Songs For The Working Class
  The New Jersey punk band is back with a new album, American Slang. In an interview with host Melissa Block, singer Brian Fallon describes his upbringing, the influence of Bruce Springsteen and the importance of singing from the heart.
• World Cup Excitement Ripples Across Globe
  Around the world Friday, soccer fans rejoiced as the World Cup got under way today. Sports commentator Stefan Fatsis watched the opener between the host country, South Africa, and Mexico on a large screen in Johannesburg. He tells Robert Siegel about the mood in South Africa. Robert Smith watched the first game with South Africans in New York, while Mandalit del Barco joined Mexicans in Los Angeles.
• Pope Begs Forgiveness Over Abuse Scandal
  At a Friday Mass in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict XVI promised to "do everything possible" to ensure that prelates don't rape or molest children ever again. But the statement did not satisfy abuse victims groups, who are demanding more accountability from the church.
• Do Looser Laws Make Pot More Popular? Not So Far
  Marijuana laws have been liberalized in more than a dozen states, and in California, medical marijuana dispensaries are common. But that doesn't mean pot use is on the rise. According to government data, Americans who admit to using pot have been at about 6 percent since 2002.

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