All Things Considered for September 8, 2008 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Monday, September 8, 2008

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Primary voters to narrow field in Senate and Congressional races
Minnesota voters tomorrow will narrow the field of candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Norm Coleman.5:20 p.m.
Important Minnesota elections links
Some important links for the 2008 primary election in Minnesota.5:24 p.m.
High court justice faces three primary challengers
One of the more interesting races on the primary election ballot Tuesday is the challenge to Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea. Three candidates are on the ballot with her, including a civil rights attorney, a public defender, and a sitting Hennepin County judge.5:25 p.m.
Civic Fest organizers will refund vendors' fees
Letters are going out to Civic Fest vendors informing them how to obtain a refund of their $2,500 registration fee. The show didn't draw the crowds organizers hoped during the Republican National Convention.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Hillary Clinton Stumps For Obama In Florida
Sen. Hillary Clinton campaigned for Barack Obama in Florida. She addressed a standing-room-only crowd of mainly women and urged them to work as hard as they can to elect Obama president. In her speech, she made no direct reference to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
In Florida, Billboards Trump Trees
Osceola County businesses gave their tourist strip a green makeover by planting trees, but billboard owners balked because the landscaping obscured their signs. State lawmakers stepped in to protect the advertising, and the trees were cut back. Now residents are left asking: "Who controls the view on a public highway?"
What's The Future For Fannie & Freddie?
The government rescue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sent mortgage rates plunging on Monday. Some bond investors say this is a positive first sign. But the future of these two mortgage financing giants depends on what happens when a new administration takes over in Washington.
New Fannie, Freddie Head Discusses Takeover
The federal government has taken over mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. James Lockhart, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, says the move should help bring interest rates down and settle the markets.
Hall Of Fame Coach Haskins Dies
College basketball coach Don Haskins has died at the age of 78. He changed the course of the college game in 1966 when he started five black players and led Texas Western to a championship upset over an all-white University of Kentucky team.
Lunch-Tray Exit Irks Some Students
Across the country, schools are eliminating lunch trays to cut down on water use and for health reasons. A University of Virginia study found people tended to take more than they would actually eat if they had a tray. The move has irritated students, however.
After Conventions, McCain Takes Lead In Some Polls
John McCain is running neck and neck with Barack Obama in polls and has a 10-point lead in one poll. But Obama is still strongly pursuing Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico and Virginia; McCain is looking at New Hampshire, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Willie Stark Lives On
One of the best-known politicians of the 20th century was Willie Stark, the populist hero who rose to rule his state in All the King's Men. Stark has lived on in three stage plays, two movies, an opera and several required-reading lists.
New Program Would Make Ripping DVDs Easier
Real Networks' new product, RealDVD, allows customers to rip DVDs onto a hard drive. New York Times technology correspondent Brad Stone says movie studios fear the program will lead consumers to illegally copy DVDs and stop buying them.
Theaters Look Beyond Movies To Fill Seats
Movie theaters are looking beyond Hollywood to attract audiences. The Metropolitan Opera has simulcast shows over the past couple of years. Broadway shows, musical competitions and political debates have followed suit. Sporting events are next.