All Things Considered for June 16, 2011 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Two St. Paul schools hoping for positive change with federal program
Students are beginning their summer vacation this week, but two St. Paul elementary schools that are part of the Promise Neighborhood initiative are already preparing for some big changes when students return in the fall.3:49 p.m.
Campaign begins to create hospice for Minn. children
Most children in Minnesota with terminal health conditions die either in the hospital or at home. Even though the hospice movement has been growing in recent years and Minnesota has 15 residential hospice homes for adults, there are none in the state for kids.3:53 p.m.
Art Hounds
Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside their own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on in local arts.4:44 p.m.
Minn. unemployment rate ticks up to 6.6. pct.
Employers in Minnesota added a net 1,200 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 6.6 percent.4:54 p.m.
Dayton calls GOP budget offer 'extremely disappointing'
Republicans in the Minnesota House and Senate are offering to drop their proposal to cut taxes if Gov. Mark Dayton drops his proposal to raise them.5:20 p.m.
Police say effects of tornado on crime in north Minneapolis unclear
Violent crime has plagued some of the north Minneapolis neighborhoods hardest hit by the tornado last month, but police officials say it's too early to tell if the storm will have a lasting effect on crime.5:24 p.m.
Two St. Paul schools hoping for positive change with federal program
Students are beginning their summer vacation this week, but two St. Paul elementary schools that are part of the Promise Neighborhood initiative are already preparing for some big changes when students return in the fall.5:50 p.m.
Campaign begins to create hospice for Minn. children
Most children in Minnesota with terminal health conditions die either in the hospital or at home. Even though the hospice movement has been growing in recent years and Minnesota has 15 residential hospice homes for adults, there are none in the state for kids.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Greece's Papandreou Fends Off Revolt
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou says he will stay on as leader of his party and the country. Papandreou has been criticized for his handling of the debt crisis in Greece, and there has been growing opposition to the austerity measures he says are vital if Greece is to keep receiving bailout money from the EU and IMF. Sylvia Poggioli speaks with Melissa Block.
With Greece Near Default, Wider Impact Feared
A failure to pay Greece's debt could scare investors away from buying other European countries' government bonds, experts say. That would make it harder for countries like Ireland or Portugal to borrow. It could also make European banks — especially in Germany and France — who invested in Greece more vulnerable.
Study Points To Health Disparities Among U.S. Women
Melissa Block speaks with Ali Mokdad, global health professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, about a study tracking the life expectancies of men and women in the United States.
South Sudan Battles Poaching In Quest For Tourism
Officials in the emerging nation hope people will one day think of it for its wildlife, not war. So it's taking steps to track the animals for anti-poaching efforts. South Sudan's economy now relies on oil, "but these animals will be there for life if we manage them well," an official says.
Letters: Jobs; Mysterious Hum
Robert Siegel and Melissa Block read emails from listeners.
Northern Rockies States Brace For Flooding
The Northern Rocky Mountain states are bracing for what could be major flooding this month. The snowpack in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah is at a record high for this time of year. As temperatures rise, that snow is melting. If it gets too hot too quickly, snow will come off the mountains faster than rivers can handle. Some have already overflowed their banks.
Omaha Scrambles To Keep Its Airport Afloat
As the Missouri River continues to grow due to releases of water from reservoirs in the Dakotas, Omaha, Nebraska's metropolitan airport is scrambling to protect its property from flood water. Sandbagging and continuous monitoring of the levee system are underway to protect Eppley Airfield. But will it be enough to keep the Missouri River — which is expected to rise another two feet in Omaha and remain flooded through August — away from the airport?
Phil Campbell Celebration Turns Into Fundraiser For Twister-Ravaged Town
This weekend was supposed to be a celebration — with a gathering of people named Phil Campbell from across the world meeting up in the town of Phil Campbell, Alabama. That was before the town was hit was a devastating tornado in April. Now the gathering has turned into a fundraiser with 18 Phil Campbells headed to Phil Campbell the town. Melissa Block speaks with Jerry Mays, the mayor of Phil Campbell, and the Phil Campbell organizing the gathering.
Fans React To Bruins' Stanley Cup Win
Wednesday night, disappointed hockey fans rioted, sending nearly 150 people to hospitals with injuries and leaving downtown streets littered with debris and broken glass. The trouble started shortly after the Vancouver Canucks lost game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals to the Boston Bruins.
Politicos Face Off On The Green
President Obama and Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner will put their differences aside — at least for a round of golf this weekend. They'll be joined by Vice President Joe Biden and Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich. Robert Siegel talks with Peter Finch, an editor at Golf Digest magazine, about how relationships can grow and deals can be made on the green.