Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New Classical Tracks: Love poems
  A new disc of Renaissance choral music has struck a chord with listeners who have been blogging and tweeting enthusiastically about Stile Antico's "Song of Songs."3:50 p.m.
• Ramstad considering run for governor
  Former Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad said he's "brainstorming" meetings about a possible run for governor in 2010.5:20 p.m.
• White Bear Lake copes with the pinch of Pawlenty's unallotment
  Like many cities, White Bear Lake will feel a slight pinch from Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan to cut $2.7 billion out of the state budget.5:23 p.m.
• Cirque du Soleil raises tent in St. Paul
  Cirque du Soleil officials will raise the trademark blue and yellow big top in downtown St. Paul on Friday, in anticipation of the upcoming performance, "Kooza."5:55 p.m.
• New Classical Tracks: Love poems
  A new disc of Renaissance choral music has struck a chord with listeners who have been blogging and tweeting enthusiastically about Stile Antico's "Song of Songs."6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Puerto Ricans Gain Political Clout In Florida
  Long an important voting bloc in New York, Puerto Ricans are now coming into their own in Florida — especially Central Florida, a key swing area in a key swing state. Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court has cast a spotlight on their growing influence.
• 'Hurt Locker': An Explosive Look At The Iraq War
  The adrenaline rush of war is front and center in Kathryn Bigelow's film — the first war movie in a while that feels as if it could have starred John Wayne. (Recommended)
• Bad Bosses Turn Your Day Job Into A Nightmare
  Commentator Alain de Botton goes through his list of bad boss traits: mood swings, excessive suspicion, anger, inability to focus, over-obsession with status, and a diminished capacity for empathy. Sadly, these neuroses don't lead people grow to horns and a tail. Is your boss suffering from any of these traits?
• No Ruling After Jackson's Autopsy
  Investigators are trying to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the death of the pop music legend. An autopsy performed Friday was inconclusive, and more tests were ordered. Jackson has a history of addiction to painkillers.
• Week In Politics Reviewed
  This week, Iran demanded an apology from President Obama and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted he engaged in an extra-marital affair. E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and the Brookings Institution and David Brooks of The New York Times offer their insight on the week in politics.
• For Some, Coming Out At School Easier Than Home
  Forty years ago, the Stonewall Riots ushered in a new era of gay rights. Victoria Cruz and her partner, Deoine, who are graduating Friday from high school in the South Bronx, show how much has changed since then. They were voted best couple for the class yearbook.
• Letters: Summer Songs
  Listeners respond to the series about favorite summer songs, and Melissa Block offers a correction to the report on the unresolved Minnesota Senate race.
• G8 Ministers Blast Iran Violence
  Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized nations expressed solidarity Friday with those who suffered repression while peacefully demonstrating in Iran. But they stopped short of questioning the outcome of Iran's election.
• U.S. Readies Missile Defense Before N. Korea Test
  A possible North Korean missile test that may be aimed in the direction of Hawaii has prompted the U.S. to deploy missile defense systems. Despite problems and test failures over the years, the Obama administration and the military seem confident that missile defense is up to the task.
• New U.S. Cyber Command Raises Privacy Concerns
  Defense Secretary Robert Gates has created a new cyber command in the Pentagon that will be headed by the director of the secretive National Security Agency. Privacy advocates worry about the role of the NSA and the militarization of the Internet.

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