Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• People from Myanmar are saddened by events in their homeland
  People from Myanmar, also known as Burma, who live in Minnesota say they are saddened, but not surprised, by the eruption of violence in their homeland.5:20 p.m.
• Only constant is change for the Star Tribune
  Major changes continue at Minnesota's largest newspaper this week. The Star Tribune has reportedly reassigned its readers representative and its longtime editorial page editor is leaving over differences with her boss. MPR's Tom Crann talks with media analyst David Brauer about the turmoil at the Star Tribune.5:24 p.m.
• CTC stages 'Average Family'
  A new play at the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis looks at Native American life through the lens of reality television.5:50 p.m.
• 'Quiet City' finds an audience while deliberately going nowhere
  The New York Times says Aaron Katz's film "Quiet City" creates "a mood of reflective melancholy reminiscent of the loneliness at the heart of Edward Hopper paintings." Katz will introduce his film at the Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis this weekend.5:54 p.m.
• Leigh Kamman signs off
  Leigh Kamman, longtime host of The Jazz Image on Minnesota Public Radio, signs off for the last time Saturday night.6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Embassy Report Differs on Blackwater Shooting
  Preliminary results of the U.S. Embassy's investigation into the Blackwater shooting incident on Sept. 16, which resulted in the deaths of Iraqi civilians, differ greatly from the official Iraqi version of events. Melissa Block talks with Washington Post reporter Steve Fainaru.
• Tensions Mount Between Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran
  In Iraqi Kurdistan, the American military's recent detention of a visiting Iranian has upset the fragile relationship between the region and Iran.
• Wooly Mammoth DNA Sequenced from Hair
  Just because an animal is dead and gone, doesn't mean its genes are lost forever. Scientist are reporting that they have been able to sequence the DNA of a wooly mammoth that died nearly 50,000 years ago. They got the DNA from a sample of the animal's hair.
• Drama in National League as Baseball Winds Down
  This weekend is the end of baseball's regular season, but the playoff lineup is far from decided. While the American League is largely settled, the National League results are still up in the air. Robert Siegel speaks with our regular commentator Stefan Fatsis of The Wall Street Journal.
• Street Food Carts Vie for Vendy Awards in New York
  While most food carts in American cities offer familiar fare such as pretzels, peanuts and hot dogs, some have gone positively gourmet. That's the case in New York, where the annual Vendy Awards recognize the city's best street food.
• Virginia County to Vote on Illegal Immigration Rules
  This summer, the board of supervisors of Virginia's Prince William County approved a crackdown aimed at driving out illegal immigrants. Officials have recommendations of which county services to deny to the undocumented. The plan, which will be voted on next week, also includes more police questioning. Hispanics say the move has divided the community, and will backfire.
• As Pace Exits, Critics Attack His War Leadership
  Gen. Peter Pace, who helped plan and carry out the Iraq war, is stepping down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Critics say Pace failed to question the assumptions of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, to devastating effect.
• Joni Mitchell: A Resurgence of Music and Art
  Singer-song writer Joni Mitchell removed herself from the musical spotlight for nearly a decade. Then, in a burst of activity over the past months, she has collaborated on a ballet, launched an art exhibit and released a new album.
• Clinton Addresses Black Caucus; Obama Campaigns
  Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus' annual meeting Friday about the stakes in the 2008 election. The speech continues a vigorous campaign for the African-American vote; Clinton's leading opponent for the party nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, who is a member of the caucus, was nearby to talk to students at Howard University.
• In Memphis, Debate over a White Representative
  White congressman Steve Cohen represents Tennesse's 9th District. Recently, some African-American ministers have taken aim at Cohen for his support of hate-crimes legislation — implying that a white congressman should not be representing the district.

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