All Things Considered for November 27, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Friday, November 27, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Local retailers hope for brighter shopping season
The day after Thanksgiving marks the traditional start of the all-important holiday shopping season. Two huge Minnesota-based retailers -- Target and Best Buy -- are hoping for better business than they saw last year.5:20 p.m.
FAA transcripts show efforts to reach flight 188
After a Northwest Airlines plane flew past Minneapolis last month, air traffic controllers asked the pilots repeatedly for explanations about why they didn't heed radio calls, according to transcripts released on Friday.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

IAEA Censures Iran Over Nuclear Program
The International Atomic Energy Agency voted Friday to censure Iran over its suspect nuclear program. With the country still refusing to suspend its uranium enrichment, Friday's rebuke puts Iran and the international community on a course of possible confrontation early next year.
Dubai Debt Rattles Global Markets
World markets have been shaken by fears that Dubai's main finance company may be unable to meet scheduled payments on a debt of more than $60 billion. Governments and financial analysts worry that the emirate could default and have an impact on the recovery of the world economy.
A Tour Of America's Belgrades
The name Belgrade still rings for many with memories of the recent civil war in Yugoslavia. But now a Serbian film crew is touring some small towns in the U.S. that share the name — gathering material for a documentary. So far, they've been to Belgrade, Minn., and Belgrade, Mont. Host Melissa Block caught up with the team as they drove toward Belgrade, Neb. She talks to the film's director, Miodrag Kolaric.
Longhorn Cattle Are Prized By The Inch
Texas longhorns have made a comeback. The animals, once nearly extinct, now number more than 330,000 in herds across the country. Tip to tip, their horns can measure six feet and beyond. And every year, breeders gather in Fort Worth, Texas, to answer the question: Whose horns are longer?
In Poor Honduras, Election Brings Hope For Stability
This weekend, Honduras is holding a presidential election, which many hope will end months of political turmoil. A coup in June removed the country's president, Manuel Zelaya. Honduras is one of the poorest in the hemisphere; the political infighting has only made life more difficult.
Football Recruits, Families Face Fierce Rush
Being the center of the high school football attention has changed as recruiting now starts earlier and earlier. Players and parents may rush college decisions just to put an end to the recruitment process.
A Look Back At Career Of Yankees Icon Sheppard
For more than 50 years, announcer Bob Sheppard has been the iconic voice of Yankee Stadium. Sheppard has missed the last two Yankee seasons because of illness. And yesterday, the Web site for Major League Baseball ran a story saying that Sheppard has decided it is time to retire. Melissa Block looks back at his career.
Carey Mulligan: The 'Education' Of An Overnight Star
British actress Carey Mulligan has charmed film critics and audiences with her role this fall in An Education. It's won the 24-year-old comparisons to legendary actress Audrey Hepburn. But Mulligan says she has yet to find total comfort in front of the camera.
'Black Friday' Shoppers Buy But Spend Less Green
This year retailers did their best to lure consumers to open their wallets with lots of early-morning specials. But while the economy has shown some signs of an improvement, analysts say the high rate of unemployment is weighing on people's willingness to spend.
S.C. Lures Gun Buyers With Tax-Free Holiday
South Carolina is luring more people into stores this holiday weekend by offering a tax-free promotion. But the write-off only applies to guns. Gun stores are extending their hours, and one is even preparing free barbecue for people in line. Nov. 27-28 are being dubbed the "Second Amendment Weekend." It's the brainchild of State Rep. Mike Pitts, who says he doesn't see the weekend so much as a stimulus, but as a political statement. Buyers will not pay state or local sales taxes on handguns, rifles and shotguns, which can run upward of 9 percent. Taxes will still apply to ammunition and gun accessories.