Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Officials still expect Central Corridor funding agreement next year
  A plan by some Republicans in Congress to ban so-called earmarks could imperil projects such as the Central Corridor light rail line between Minneapolis and St. Paul.3:20 p.m.
• Chefs, farmers in Brainerd meet online to buy local food
  An experiment to get more locally grown food on resort menus this summer by six Brainerd chefs and eight area farmers was one of a variety of efforts on the local food front. It showed both how things might work and why it's difficult.3:24 p.m.
• Officials still expect Central Corridor funding agreement next year
  A plan by some Republicans in Congress to ban so-called earmarks could imperil projects such as the Central Corridor light rail line between Minneapolis and St. Paul.5:20 p.m.
• Chefs, farmers in Brainerd meet online to buy local food
  An experiment to get more locally grown food on resort menus this summer by six Brainerd chefs and eight area farmers was one of a variety of efforts on the local food front. It showed both how things might work and why it's difficult.5:24 p.m.
• Mayo Clinic to offer proton beam cancer therapy
  The Mayo Clinic announced plans today to open two proton beam cancer therapy centers. The new centers, in Rochester and Phoenix, will feature an innovative cancer treatment called pencil beam scanning.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Kazakhstan Completes Move, Storage Of Nuclear Stash
  The U.S. and Kazakhstan have just completed a yearlong project moving 100 tons of highly radioactive material from a former Soviet nuclear plant to a storage site 1,500 miles across Kazakhstan. The shipments included enough material for nearly 800 nuclear weapons.
• Afghan Security Forces Race Against 2014 Deadline
  The U.S. unveiled a new timetable this week to wind down the war in Afghanistan by 2014 -- the proposed date by which Afghan security forces would take over from the U.S. and NATO. Will Afghan troops be ready?
• Growing Slowly, Humans Outsmarted Neanderthals
  Humans are the smartest creatures on Earth, and scientists are trying to figure out just how we got that way. Compared with our closest relative, the Neanderthal, who grew quickly and died young, our "slow growth" seems to explain our more sophisticated brain.
• Dave Holland Finds A New Journey In Flamenco
  On his new album, Hands, the jazz bassist is assisted by renowned guitarist Pepe Habichuela as he explores a new genre. This courage, according to reviewer Banning Eyre, is what separates the men from the masters.
• Alleged Russian Arms Dealer Extradited To U.S.
  The alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout -- dubbed "The Merchant of Death" -- has been extradited to the United States from Thailand over Moscow's objections. The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, says it can work through the diplomatic problems.
• The Debate Over NFL Superstar Michael Vick
  Host Melissa Block speaks to Philadelphia Daily News columnist Sam Donnellon about Michael Vick's return to football -- and the fans' dilemma about whether being a great football player can make up for his past crimes.
• TSA Head Defends 'Enhanced Pat-Downs' And Safety Of Scanners
  John Pistole says his agency's goal is to find the best balance between security and privacy.
• U.S. Bishops Elect NYC Archbishop As Leader
  In a surprising move, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed over the man who was expected to be elected president, Bishop Gerald Kicanas. Instead, they elected Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York.
• U.K. To Pay Ex-Guantanamo Detainees In Settlement
  The British government has reached an out-of-court settlement with a number of Guantanamo detainees who alleged they were tortured. The detainees say that British agents either arranged or knew about their mistreatment, and the group has been suing the government for compensation. Press reports say ministers decided it was better to pay large sums of money to the detainees, rather than have details of security service operations aired in open court.
• Suspect In Mumbai Attacks A Thorn In U.S.-India Ties
  Many Indians think U.S. officials are still not sharing information about David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani American who has confessed to a role in the 2008 attacks that killed more than 160. Headley worked for both the U.S. government and terrorists based in Pakistan.

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