Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Art Hounds
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside their own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on in local arts.4:45 p.m.
• Doctors hope new report pushes smokers to quit
  Minnesota doctors and tobacco control advocates say a new federal report on the harmful effects of tobacco smoke should give a significant boost to anti-smoking campaigns. The report by the U.S. Surgeon General says even occasional exposure to tobacco smoke causes immediate damage that can lead to disease or death.4:50 p.m.
• After suspension, future uncertain for Hackbarth's role at Capitol
  Most members of the new Republican majority have been basking in the spotlight at the State Capitol, but veteran GOP lawmaker Tom Hackbarth has been trying hard to stay out of sight. Hackbarth won't face charges for his widely reported arrest for carrying a weapon. But his political future is still clouded.4:54 p.m.
• Pawlenty passes the baton to Dayton
  Outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his successor, Mark, Dayton, met Thurday afternoon to discuss the details of the transition to a new administration. Pawlenty said he would make that process as smooth as possible for Dayton, who has barely a month to build the first Democratic administration in two decades.5:20 p.m.
• Survey: Families still have trouble finding quality day care
  A new survey finds families using child care in Minnesota face the same problems as six years ago: they're having trouble finding quality day care they can afford.5:24 p.m.
• Ellison: Dems must "create crisis" to force GOP on tax cut
  Minnesota 5th District Congressman Keith Ellison said Thursday that Democratic lawmakers "need to create a real crisis" to force Republicans to renegotiate the tax cut compromise.5:35 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Youth In Nursing Homes Seek Alternative Care
  Young people are a growing percentage of nursing home residents. But despite alternatives for long-term care, many remain in nursing facilities.
• The Making Of A Hit Song: Jerry Wonda's Platinum Sound
  Producer Jerry Wonda uses the word "sonic" to describe the sounds and effects he uses to make a hit.
• Poll: Americans Want Deficit Cut, Oppose Fixes
  A strong majority of Americans say they support a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to cut the budget deficit -- but they falter when asked if they support specific ideas, like raising the national gasoline tax. That's according to a poll by the Pew Research Center.
• Jim Sullivan's Mysterious Masterpiece: 'U.F.O.'
  Jim Sullivan was always on the edge of success: He hung out with celebrities, but he wasn't famous himself. In 1975, he left for Nashville looking to further his career. But he never made it to Tennessee; Sullivan's car was found abandoned in the desert, and he was never seen again.
• Oliver Sacks On His Burning Love Of 'Fire'
  Neurologist Oliver Sacks' earliest and fondest memories are of fire — the coal fires of his childhood home, Hanukkah candles. Today he deals more with the firing of neurons, but he still gets his fix through flame-inspired literature like Hazel Rossotti's Fire, about the culture and science of fire.
• Tax Plan In Limbo After Democrats' Revolt
  The House Democratic caucus has rejected the deal President Obama made with Senate Republicans to extend all the Bush-era tax cuts. That leaves the measure in limbo, along with all the things attached to it, such as the estate tax, an extension of unemployment benefits and a reduction in Social Security payroll taxes. So far, it's unclear what changes would satisfy House Democrats. If the lame-duck Congress doesn't act by Jan. 1, everyone's taxes go up.
• Sen. Alexander: Tax Deal Will Create Jobs
  NPR's Melissa Block talks to GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander about the proposed tax plan. The Tennessee Republican says the plan will result in job creation.
• Silencing WikiLeaks A Free Speech Challenge For U.S.
  Administration officials, angry over the disclosure of sensitive intelligence information, have harshly criticized WikiLeaks, and the Justice Department is considering whether founder Julian Assange can be prosecuted. Critics say such efforts don't square with the U.S. commitment to expanding the free flow of information online.
• Seafloor Samples Show Troubling Effects Of Oil Spill
  A trip down to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico in a submarine reveals a bleak portrait of the sea life near the ruptured BP well. Scientists are finding a thick layer of oil on the seafloor, and they say it could be years before the ecosystem recovers.
• China's Nobel Crackdown Echoes 1936
  Friday night in Oslo, the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to the jailed Chinese pro-democracy activist Liu Xiabo. But no one will be able to collect the award, because China has refused to allow Xiabo or his wife to travel to Norway for the ceremony. That's happened before, in the 1930s, when peace activist and journalist Carl von Ossietzky was in a concentration camp when it was announced he won the prize. For more on von Ossietzky, NPR's Guy Raz talks to Istvan Deak, a professor emeritus of history at Columbia University.

The Dinner Party Download™

A fast, funny digest of the week's most interesting news, cuisine, cocktails and culture.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories