Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Ask Dr. Hallberg: Electronic medical records
  It's been almost two years since President Obama targeted $19 billion in stimulus money to help medical facilities convert to electronic record-keeping. The technology is intended to improve the quality of care and reduce costs.3:49 p.m.
• For rural towns, remote pharmacists fill a vital gap
  Small rural communities often have a hard time attracting pharmacists. To solve the problem, a growing number of small towns are turning to a telepharmacy, a service that connects patients or nurses to pharmacists via video link.3:54 p.m.
• FAQ: American Community Survey
  For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau is releasing data collected through its American Community Survey over a five-year period.4:50 p.m.
• Lower sales, lower stock price add up to lousy day for Best Buy
  Disappointing sales of TVs, notebook computers and video games dragged down Best Buy's third-quarter sales and profit. And that sent the consumer electronics retailer's stock tumbling 15 percent.4:54 p.m.
• Schools to reopen on Wednesday in Mpls, St. Paul
  The St. Paul and Minneapolis school districts will be back in session Wednesday. Both districts took Monday and Tuesday off in the aftermath of the Twin Cities' fifth-largest snowstorm ever.5:16 p.m.
• Several factors increase risk of fire in winter
  Winter is a particularly dangerous season for fires, and this year is no exception. Four people died in three separate fires in the Twin Cities since Saturday, and dozens of less serious building and car fires have left emergency crews scrambling in the snow and cold. MPR's Steven John talks with a St. Paul fire official about the higher risk.5:20 p.m.
• Klobuchar: We can't afford to give the middle class a tax increase
  Both of Minnesota's Democratic U.S. senators voted to advance the bill Monday. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar discussed the bill Tuesday with MPR's Steven John.5:35 p.m.
• Ask Dr. Hallberg: Electronic medical records
  It's been almost two years since President Obama targeted $19 billion in stimulus money to help medical facilities convert to electronic record-keeping. The technology is intended to improve the quality of care and reduce costs.5:49 p.m.
• For rural towns, remote pharmacists fill a vital gap
  Small rural communities often have a hard time attracting pharmacists. To solve the problem, a growing number of small towns are turning to a telepharmacy, a service that connects patients or nurses to pharmacists via video link.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Sudan Vote Could Make A New Nation, A War, Or Both
  Next month, the people of Southern Sudan will choose whether to break up Africa's biggest state and create the world's newest nation. Much is at stake, including most of Sudan's oil reserves and -- potentially -- peace in one of the continent's more volatile countries.
• But Seriously Folks, The Arab World Is A Funny Place
  From Egypt to Saudi Arabia and Libya to Jordan, huge audiences are turning out to laugh at U.S. and local stand-up comedians -- and at themselves. Arab-American Dean Obeidellah is one of the pioneers of what he calls "comedy missionary work."
• Good Samaritans Open Their Homes As Safe Houses
  Since California closed a shelter for victims of domestic violence, one small farming town has asked residents to open their homes -- a type of underground railroad for those in need. But experts warn that homeowners don't have crisis training, support staff or security. Their only protection is anonymity.
• Holbrooke Death Comes At Key Point In Afghan Policy
  The position of U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, known as SRAP, is arguably one of America's toughest diplomatic portfolios. It involves overseeing a significant civilian effort to help build society, the economy and democracy in both countries. With the passing of Richard Holbrooke, what's next for the diplomatic side of the Obama administration's strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan?
• What's Next For Obama's Afghan-Pakistan Strategy?
  NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with James Dobbins, director of International Security and Defense Policy at the Rand Corporation. He talks about the U.S. policy in Afghanistan, and the White House assessment to be released this week.
• Voyager 1 Spacecraft Heads For The Outer Limits
  The Voyager 1 spacecraft is moving through the very outer boundary of our solar system, and moving into interstellar space. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 accomplished its initial goals of exploring the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, and is continuing to send back interesting data. NPR's Melissa Block talks to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Hayden Planetarium about the spacecraft and the outer limits of our sun's influence.
• Italian Premier Survives No-Confidence Vote, Barely
  Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, but with the slimmest of margins. His center-right government defeated the opposition motion by just three votes, amid widespread media reports of parliamentarians being offered money and business opportunities, or even being intimidated into changing their votes.
• Paper: N.J. Doctor Supplied Steroids To Police
  In a series of investigative stories, The Star-Ledger newspaper in New Jersey reports that at least 248 officers and firefighters obtained steroids, human growth hormone and other testosterone-boosting drugs, with prescriptions written by one doctor. And in many cases, those prescriptions were paid for through their government health plans. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Amy Brittain, one of the authors of the reports.
• Assange Granted Bail, But Remains In Jail
  WikiLeaks leader Julian Assange was granted bail by a court in London on Tuesday but remains in jail, subject to an appeal by Swedish authorities. Assange has been held in prison pending extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about alleged sex crimes.
• In New Film, Spalding Gray Tells His Own Tale
  And Everything Is Going Fine, the new film from Steven Soderbergh, is a documentary about the late Spalding Gray. But it's not a typical documentary -- there are no "heads" talking about Gray. As Soderbergh puts it, Gray was the best talker of them all. So the film is just him: performances, interviews, home movies -- all from the Gray archive.

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