All Things Considered for September 12, 2006 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Rodriguez's mother testifies
Alfonso Rodriguez's mother took the stand today to tell jurors about her son's life. Delores Rodriguez was the first witness called by the defense in the penalty phase of the federal death penalty trial in Fargo. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Bob Reha is following the trial and joined Tom Crann for a discussion from the courthouse in Fargo.5:19 p.m.
St. Paul debates higher taxes for more cops
The Saint Paul City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on how much the city can tax property owners next year. Elected officials agree the city should spend more on additional cops, but they don't agree on how many are enough.5:23 p.m.
Crop report shows timely rain helped
August rains have helped turn around much of the corn and soybean crop in Minnnesota. The U.S. Agriculture Department estimates state farmers should harvest a crop nearly as large as last year's.5:50 p.m.
No new corn for the palace
For the first time ever, one of South Dakota's biggest tourist attractions won't change its look because there isn't enough corn to go around. The world's only Corn Palace is being hit hard by the drought.5:53 p.m.
Live long and prosper!
Here in Minnesota, we live a long time. And if you live in Nicollet County, you live even longer. There, you can count on a average of 81.1 years. Statewide, the average is 78.8 years. Only in Hawaii do they live longer. That's all according to a new Harvard University report. Dr. Christopher Murray is faculty director of the Harvard Initiative for Global Health and the lead author of the report. He says the key difference between rural Minnesotans and people in other parts of country is the prevalence of chronic disease in working-age adults, age 15 to 65. We asked him to speculate on what may cause this difference.5:56 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Leak Fallout Forces HP's Dunn to Step Down
Patricia Dunn is resigning her position as chairwoman of Hewlett-Packard. Dunn was at the helm of HP's board when the company hired private investigators to obtain phone records of journalists and at least one board member. California's attorney general, the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating.
Bristol-Myers Board Urged to Fire CEO Dolan
A federal monitor overseeing drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. has urged the firing of CEO Peter Dolan and the company's general counsel, according to a source familiar with the situation. Bristol-Myers' board is expected to consider cutting the company's hefty dividend Tuesday, according to sources.
Militants Attack U.S. Embassy in Syria
Islamic militants attack the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, according to the Syrian government. Three militants and one Syrian guard were reported killed in the attack. No Americans were hurt and the embassy compound was not breached as the attackers came at it with machine guns, grenades and one vehicle.
For Santorum, Race Momentum Swings
Pennsylvania's Sen. Rick Santorum has long been considered to be the Senate's most endangered Republican. But polls show him closing the gap with Democratic candidate Bob Casey Jr. Political onlookers are wondering whether the turnabout is a case of Santorum gaining -- or Casey faltering.
A Biologist's Listening Guide to Bacteria
Every young scientist dreams of doing an experiment that changes the world. A remarkable biologist at Princeton University has done just that. Bonnie Bassler's discovery about how bacteria talk to one another has led to a whole new field of research -- and maybe someday drugs that would be effective against all bacteria.
Mars Rover Nears Crucial New Study Area
NASA's Mars rover Opportunity is about to reach Victoria Crater. Scientists are excited about exploring the crater, where satellite pictures indicate more than 100 feet of exposed bedrock. By studying the layers of bedrock, researchers hope to learn how it was shaped -- and maybe answer the question of whether liquid water once covered the Martian surface.
Crime Rates Steady From 2004 to 2005
Crime rates for 2005 remained about the same as for 2004, according to a new report from the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics. The analysis also finds that the victim of a violent crime is half as likely to report the crime to police as a victim of theft. Robert Siegel talks to Shannon Catalano, the report's author.
An Alabama County's Bloody Past
Commentator John Fleming tells the story of Lowdnes County, Ala. During the Civil Rights era, it was called "Bloody Lowdnes" because of all the violence there. One of the people who lost their lives working for civil rights was a young Episcopal seminarian named Jonathan Daniels. John Fleming is the editor-at-large for the Anniston Star.
Bush, GOP Senators Seek Deal on Tribunals
Nearly a week ago, the White House sent Congress its proposal for military tribunals to try detainees the Bush administration calls "unlawful enemy combatants." But the plan has run into stiff resistance from leading Republicans in the Senate.
Front-Line Baghdad: Stryker Brigade
U.S. troops in Baghdad are expanding operations, with Iraqi soldiers and police trying to bring security to some of the capital's most dangerous districts. Among the U.S. units involved is the Tomahawks Battalion of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, based in Alaska. The Strykers are part of the front line, getting tips, clearing houses, and working neighborhood by neighborhood to bring the city under control.