All Things Considered for November 18, 2011 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Friday, November 18, 2011

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Cube Critics: 'The Descendants'
When Movie Maven Stephanie Curtis and arts reporter Euan Kerr compare notes on the films they've seen, there's often not a lot of overlap. But this week, the two movie maniacs saw the same flick and that's the topic of discussion on Cube Critics.3:54 p.m.
Give to the Max day has become essential to non-profits, group says
The group Give MN has released final fundraising numbers for Give to the Max day earlier this week. LaDonna Hoy the executive director of the Plymouth-based organization, told MPR's Tom Crann that money raised from the one-day event has become essential.4:50 p.m.
Washington pizza sauce fight has deep Minnesota ties
Congress agreed this week to continue counting the tomato sauce on pizza as a serving of vegetables for school lunches. Schwan Food Co. was at the heart of the lobbying battle and convinced several Minnesota lawmakers to follow its lead.4:53 p.m.
Bachmann pushes conservative credentials in latest Iowa swing
GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has been sharpening her message as the self-described "only true conservative" in the Republican race for president, as she campaigned in Iowa for the past several days.5:17 p.m.
After Sonntag resigns, Cowles Center looks to future
Frank Sonntag stunned the local dance community when he resigned as the center's executive this week. It leaves Minnesota's so-called 'flagship center for dance' searching for a new leader midway through its inaugural season.5:21 p.m.
US shifts deportation policy; non-criminal cases in question
The Department of Homeland Security has begun reviewing cases to speed up deportation of illegal immigrants who are criminals while also clearing the backlog of cases of people in the country illegally who are not criminals.5:38 p.m.
Proposed DFL redistricting map irks McCollum
The Minnesota DFL Party submitted a congressional redistricting plan Friday that would place Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum into a district with GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann.5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Gingrich's History On Health Care Gets An Exam
Some of the positions Gingrich took while at the helm of a health care think tank are getting another look. Ideas such as an insurance mandate and incentives to spur the use of computerized medical records are planks of the Democrats' health overhaul law.
Week In Politics: Gingrich, Debt Panel
Melissa Block speaks with our regular political commentators, E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and Brookings Institution and David Brooks of The New York Times.
Analysts: Fate Of Egyptian Revolution At Stake
Long-simmering tensions between Egypt's ruling military council and post-Mubarak political parties could burst into the open. Islamist and secular parties are both planning mass demonstrations in Tahrir Square to protest what they see as efforts by the military to enshrine its power at the expense of an elected government.
Cow Clicker Founder: If You Can't Ruin It, Destroy It
Zynga, the company behind popular Facebook games such as Farmville and Cityville, is expected to have its initial public offering before the end of the year. Zynga is a phenomenon. More than 200 million people play its games each month. One person who doesn't feel Zynga's success is cause for celebration is video game designer Ian Bogost. Bogost thinks Zynga's games are mindless, designed to suck money out of players' pockets. To make his point he created a parody game of his own. As On the Media's P.J. Vogt reports, what Bogost didn't expect is that his satire would become one of the most popular games he's ever made.
Clinton To 'Test Waters' In Myanmar
President Obama says his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Myanmar next month, the first such visit in half a century. Relations between the U.S. and Myanmar have been strained during years of rule by a secretive military junta, but its new president has started a process of reform that the U.S. wants to encourage. Michele Kelemen
Myanmar's Ghost Capital Rises From The Jungle
In 2005, Myanmar's military rulers picked up the government and moved it to a remote city newly built in the country's jungle. Naypiydaw boasts manicured boulevards and well-stocked supermarkets — but not many residents. The impressive surface, many say, belies an aging dictator's paranoia.
Scientists Claim Neutrinos Are Faster Than Light
Scientists at the Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics are now touting a successful second experiment that may challenge Albert Einstein's long-held theory of relativity. The results show that neutrinos could travel faster than the speed of light. Guy Raz talks to Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, about the findings.
NBA In Turmoil As MLB Takes Care Of Business
While the professional basketball season is on the verge of collapse, Major League Baseball and its players wrapped up a new contract. Guy Raz talks with sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about what's next in the NBA negotiations and what's new for baseball with this agreement.
'Managed' Apple Creates A Buzz
Melissa Block talks with John Seabrook, staff writer at The New Yorker. His latest article, "Crunch," delves into the world of the SweeTango — a new hybrid apple that is part Honeycrisp, part Zestar. It's sweet and tangy. There's a hint of cinnamon, a hint of pineapple and a whole lot of crunch.
Where's Mitt Romney? 'Running Out The Clock'
As his opponents seem to stumble day after day, the former Massachusetts governor avoids mishap in part by doing just a few public events a week. Behind the scenes, he's wooing endorsements and raising a good bit of cash.