Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• State confirms two more H1N1 deaths
  The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed two more deaths linked to H1N1 flu, raising the state's total to 12 since spring.4:35 p.m.
• Two DFLers compete to take on Michele Bachmann
  Two DFL candidates are battling for the right to challenge 6th District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in next year's election. It might take an expensive and divisive primary to decide which one of them gets the party nomination.5:35 p.m.
• Prosecutor: Petters tried to be 'corporate tycoon'
  Prosecutors have laid out for jurors how Minnesota businessman Tom Petters allegedly engineered a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of billions of dollars.5:44 p.m.
• A novel entirely of questions
  Padgett Powell's new book "The Interrogative Mood" begins with some questions. It ends with them too. In fact every single sentence is a question.5:47 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Clinton's Goodwill Trip Marred By Pakistan Attack
  A deadly car bomb exploded Wednesday in Peshawar, Pakistan, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the capital, Islamabad, about 100 miles away. She hopes to build and repair fragile relations with a country seen as a critical U.S. ally in the fight against Islamist extremism.
• Two Torn Families Show Flip Side Of 3 Strikes Law
  California voters passed the nation's strictest three strikes law in 1994. The "third strike" carries a mandatory 25 years to life. Mike Reynolds, whose daughter was murdered in 1992, brought the ballot initiative and has fought to uphold it since. But Sue Reams, whose son is in prison because of it, is working for change.
• Digital Bread Crumbs: Following Your Cell Phone Trail
  If you use a mobile phone, you're leaving a record of where you've been. But where does your phone say you are? If it relies on cell phone towers for that information, your location may be vague. GPS-enabled phones are more specific. The difference between the two can be miles wide.
• Italian Women Assail Berlusconi For Sexist Remarks
  For a long time, Italian women remained largely silent about Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's multiple sex scandals and gaffes. That changed after Berlusconi made a remark about an opposition politician's intellect and looks, unleashing a wave of anger.
• For A Fallen Star, One Final Chance To Shine
  Kenny Ortega's hastily assembled concert movie-cum-Michael Jackson memorial recuts 100 hours of rehearsal footage to give fans VIP access to what might be the greatest show that never was. Movie critic Bob Mondello says This Is It might be short on backstage drama, but it's not hurting for onstage razzle-dazzle.
• Three Hauntingly Unforgettable Literary Houses
  Literature is full of reminders that houses have souls, a fact characters forget at their own peril. In some novels, the house is as much a force as any of the people in the story. When that happens, the human characters had better beware.
• Taliban Targets U.N. Workers In Deadly Attack
  Taliban militants stormed an international guest house in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people, including half a dozen U.N. staffers. The Taliban said it was part of an offensive related to the Nov. 7 runoff vote for the presidency. The militants have repeatedly vowed to disrupt the poll.
• Bay Bridge Closed For Repairs
  A cable snapped on the Bay Bridge's upper deck in San Francisco during Tuesday's rush-hour commute, prompting authorities to close the bridge for repairs and an inspection. It is the second time in recent weeks that the bridge has been shut because of structural defects.
• Did Schwarzenegger Note Contain Coded Profanity?
  To say there is some animosity between California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Assemblyman Tom Ammaino might be an understatement. Ammaino has called the governor a liar, and once shouted an obscene message at him. Now, we learn that a note Schwarzenegger sent the assemblyman contains a coded insult. Intentional or coincidence? Professor Robert Lewand, of Goucher College, offers his insight.
• S.D. Governor On Health Care Opt-Out Provision
  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid included a public option in the Senate's version of a health care bill. But because of opposition from Senate Republicans and conservative Democrats he said states would be free to opt out. South Dakota's Republican Gov. Mike Rounds discusses the opt-out provision.

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