All Things Considered for September 4, 2006 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, September 4, 2006

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

The outlook for Minnesota jobs
Minnesota's jobs picture this Labor Day is decidedly mixed. The state economy is adding jobs at a much stronger pace than the national average. And a new state survey shows a growing number of job vacancies. The problem is the pay rate for many of the jobs is low. The median hourly wage is just $10. There are other troubling prospects on the horizon as well.5:19 p.m.
Rallying for immigrant rights
For the first time in nearly two decades, there was no big Labor Day picnic in St. Paul this year. Union organizers canceled the event because of a lack of funding and volunteers. But several unions were involved in another Twin Cities rally today. Hundreds of people marched for immigrant and workers rights.5:49 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin Killed by Stingray
Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin was best known for his enthusiasm for wildlife, as well as his habit of getting up close and personal with dangerous animals. The 44-year-old Australian conservationist and TV personality died Monday when he was stabbed in the chest by a stingray barb while filming off the Great Barrier Reef.
Kofi Annan Will Appoint Secret Mideast Mediator
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan says he will appoint a secret mediator to work on a prisoner exchange between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers in July triggered a 34-day war with Israel. Now Hezbollah says it will exchange the soldiers for Lebanese held by Israelis.
Old Crow Medicine Show Revives Traveling Tradition
The five-member string band Old Crow Medicine Show got its start eight years ago when it busked and played in bars in Canada. The group attempts to recapture and honor the tradition of traveling variety shows that fanned across the United States more than a century ago.
Signs of Calm Returning to Northern Israel
Italy and France have reinforced the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, and Israeli troops have thinned their ranks there. Calm is finally returning to Kiryat Shimona, the northern Israeli town most hit by Hezbollah rockets during last month's 34-day war.
Pre-Election Mood Adds Punch to Lawmaking Session
Congress returns Tuesday for a short pre-midterm election session. As the political season starts in earnest, the mood on Capitol Hill is becoming more partisan. So what's ahead in the campaigns and, more important, what's going to happen on the Hill?
Phoenix Immigration Rally Brings Out Opposition
A rally in Phoenix on Monday drew hundreds of people marching in favor of immigrants' rights. But the rally was far smaller than the massive crowds that gathered for a similar event in April. And this time, there was a lot more opposition.
Retirees Rewarded for Social Entrepreneurship
The Purpose Prize awards retirees who take on some of the country's biggest social problems. The five winners of the prize, all 60 years or older, will be announced Sept. 5 and will split half a million dollars.
Industrial Workers' Songbook Gets Big Update
Music and singing has always been integral to the Industrial Workers of the World, a universal union for labor created in 1905. Since its creation in 1905, the IWW has published a Little Red Songbook with music that has been sung and played at rallies and demonstrations ever since.
Congress Returns to Pre-Election Lawmaking
Congress will return to work Tuesday after a five-week break and with Election Day just two months away. President Bush called Monday for lawmakers to make tax cuts permanent, but it's unlikely that Congress will finish any substantive work until after the November elections.
Minnesota Republican Drops Support for War
Gil Gutknecht is a reliable Republican congressman from Minnesota who has long supported the war effort in Iraq -- until recently. Is this an election-year conversion or a real disenchantment with the war? And are fellow republicans following suit?