All Things Considered for November 20, 2012 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

How the DFL and its allies engineered a takeover of the Legislature
ABM spent at least $1.1 million targeting 32 races this year, many that the DFL narrowly lost in 2010. It lost only 6, and the DFL re-took control of both the Minnesota House and Senate, further cementing ABM's reputation as a juggernaut in Minnesota politics.3:20 p.m.
Employee health monitoring raises privacy concerns
As Minnesota workers weigh their health insurance options for next year, more are being offered financial incentives to participate in wellness programs that monitor their health.4:48 p.m.
Appetites: Thanksgiving bring-alongs for those who don't cook
Thanksgiving is a time of long-standing food traditions for many families. But what if you don't have a go-to Thanksgiving bring-along? Or the time to whip something up?4:53 p.m.
Orchestra lockouts bring opportunity, concern for music educators
While the cancellation of concerts is the most public result of the lockout of musicians at both the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, music educators are concerned about the lockouts' long-term impact on their students.4:54 p.m.
Best Buy stock down 13% after bad report
Best Buy officials had warned investors that its revenue and earnings report would be disappointing. Tuesday's sell-off indicates investors found the actual numbers far more direful than the warning.5:20 p.m.
How the DFL and its allies engineered a takeover of the Legislature
ABM spent at least $1.1 million targeting 32 races this year, many that the DFL narrowly lost in 2010. It lost only 6, and the DFL re-took control of both the Minnesota House and Senate, further cementing ABM's reputation as a juggernaut in Minnesota politics.5:24 p.m.
Employee health monitoring raises privacy concerns
As Minnesota workers weigh their health insurance options for next year, more are being offered financial incentives to participate in wellness programs that monitor their health.5:50 p.m.
Appetites: Thanksgiving bring-alongs for those who don't cook
Thanksgiving is a time of long-standing food traditions for many families. But what if you don't have a go-to Thanksgiving bring-along? Or the time to whip something up?6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Fighting Continues In Gaza Amid Talk Of Cease-Fire
The war between Israel and the Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip could end up as a victory of sorts for both sides. Hamas' popularity in the Arab world has skyrocketed. Hamas leaders say they've forced Israel to the negotiating table by launching rockets at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and held their own for the last week. Their rivals in the Palestinian Authority have been marginalized. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, has received a huge boost to his popularity in the midst of an election campaign. Sheera Frenkel talks to Audie Cornish.
Israel's 'Iron Dome' Was Partly Funded By U.S.
Since an escalation in fighting between Gaza and Israel last week, there have been more than 100 casualties on Gaza's side of the border. On Israel's there have been three. That low death count in Israel, despite many rockets fired into its territory, is thanks largely to the Israeli "Iron Dome" air defense system. For more on how that system works, Robert Siegel speaks with Barbara Opall-Rome, Israel bureau chief for Defense News.
Tough Turkey: People Have A Harder Time Getting Pardons Under Obama
Every year, the president pardons a turkey in a lighthearted Thanksgiving tradition. But while the business of pardoning humans is more serious, it's also increasingly rare. President Obama has granted just 1 pardon for every 290 applications — a much lower rate than other recent presidents.
Berlin Calls On Volunteer Hunters To Cull Wild Boars
Berlin is known as the "wild boar capital" in Germany, with thousands of the animals roaming its residential neighborhoods. In the past, the city and animal rights activists battled over hiring hunters to kill the streetwise swine, who cause a lot of damage. But with attacks like the one in late October in which four people were injured by a male boar, curbing the wild pig population in the German capital is a growing priority.
For Pi, A Wonderful 'Life' Finds Its Way To Film
Ang Lee's adaptation of Yann Martel's 2001 best-seller employs cinema's most advanced digital techniques in the service of an adventure yarn that's gloriously old-fashioned — and often just glorious. (Recommended)
Administration Lays Down Rules For Future Health Insurance
Now that the Supreme Court has found the Affordable Care Act constitutional and the president's re-election made clear that big chunks of the law will take effect in 2014, the administration is finally releasing rules of the road that states and insurance companies have been clamoring for.
Thousands Of Trees Gone, Ripped Out By Sandy
Nearly 10,000 trees in New York City — many healthy and hefty — were lost to the winds of Superstorm Sandy. Natural scenery aside, they affect the environmental quality of the city.
Blasphemy Charges On The Rise In Pakistan
A single accuser's word is often enough to lead to an arrest and spark mob violence. Human rights advocates say the charges are frequently made against religious minorities, and are often used to settle personal scores.
Tea Party Favorite Allen West Concedes Florida Race
Two weeks after votes were cast, Tea Party firebrand Allen West conceded he lost his Florida Congressional race to Democrat Patrick Murphy. He was one of just a few Tea Party activists to be defeated.
Democrats Poised To Pick Up Seats In Final House Tally
Two weeks after Election Day, it appears the partisan makeup of the new House of Representatives will be 234 Republicans and 201 Democrats, although the outcome is not yet official in two states. That would be a gain of eight seats for the minority Democrats.