Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Local Muslim reaction to cartoon controversy
  A Pakistani cleric announced a $1 million bounty for killing a cartoonist who drew the Prophet Muhammad as thousands joined street protests after Friday prayers. Denmark, which first published the cartoons, temporarily closed its embassy and advised its citizens to leave Pakistan. In Minnesota, we've asked members of the Muslim community to reflect on the controversy.6:45 a.m.
• Weather comments from Climatologist Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the recent spell of cold weather to hit the state, and he answers listener questions in his weekly weather talk.6:50 a.m.
• The fight over Ripley Dairy
  Residents of a small southeastern township are demanding to know why they may lose part of their town to an outside developer's proposal. The town of Claremont has proposed annexing parts of Ripley Township, about two miles away. If it's successful, the land would be used for a large dairy.7:20 a.m.
• Olympic connection highlights Bemidji's long curling tradition
  People in Bemidji will be closely watching Olympic curling competition this year in Turin, Italy. Five Bemidji curlers are competing in the Winter games -- half of the entire U.S. curling team. Curling has long been a way of life for many in Bemidji.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• House Republicans Convene for Weekend Retreat
  Newly elected Majority Leader John Boehner and House Republicans are on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a retreat. Boehner is hoping to unify his party, which has fragmented recently in the face of lobbying scandals and National Security Agency wiretapping concerns.
• Traveling on the Thruway of Love
  When Michael Fazio worked as a toll collector, Sonya Baker found herself looking for excuses to take the highway. And what started as an innocent flirtation eventually evolved into secret signs -- and an offer of dinner.
• Russia Beefs Up Resources for Olympic Figure Skaters
  The Soviet Union's dominance of world figure skating collapsed along with communism. But since the last Winter Olympics, the Russian government has increased funding for the sport by a factor of 10.
• U.S. Women's Hockey Team, After the Gold
  The U.S. women's hockey team is a favorite to win a medal at the Winter Games in Turin. Players and coaches say exposure from the Olympics has drawn more female players to the sport.
• Security Tight Ahead of Olympics Opening in Turin
  The 20th Winter Olympics opens Friday in the Italian city of Turin. Over the next two weeks, 2,600 athletes will be competing before 1 million spectators. First lady Laura Bush will attend the opening ceremony, along with numerous other international dignitaries.
• Former Leader Preval Ahead in Haitian Vote
  Preliminary results from Haiti's presidential elections show former President Rene Preval with a substantial lead. International election observers sharply criticized Haitian election officials for poor organization, but said the vote generally appeared to be free and fair.
• 'Firewall': Only a Facsimile of a Successful Thriller
  In the first aspiring Hollywood blockbuster of the year, Firewall, Harrison Ford stars as a man whose identity theft leads to something more sinister than an overcharged credit card. Critic Kenneth Turan says the thriller's plot outlines and script are depressingly familiar.
• Online Gaming, Money and Tax Law
  Some players of online role-playing games are so determined that they will pay real money to get ahead. Steve Inskeep talks with Julian Dibbell, who wrote about the tax implications of this practice in a recent issue of Legal Affairs.
• You Say Turin, I Say Torino
  Everyone can agree that the Olympics start tonight. But not everyone agrees on what to call the city where they're being played. Torino is the Italian name, Turin is the common English version. The American broadcaster of the games, NBC, will say Torino. (They reportedly think it sounds more exotic.) Most English-language media, including NPR, are saying Turin. The head of the Olympic organizing committee says he doesn't care what people call the city. He says "it's a game."
• Vintage Wine Sold for $96,000
  A wine collector has paid $96,000 for the privilege of drinking some very old wine. It's a French Sauterne, vintage 1787 -- the most expensive bottle of white wine in the world. In the year 1787, the French Revolution was in the air, the American Constitution was written and the grapes for this wine were picked by peasants in Bordeaux. How will it taste? According to the company that sold the bottle: sweet, and full of nostalgia.
• Housing Market Percolates in New Orleans
  Startling as it may seem to outsiders, the housing market in New Orleans is alive. The city's biggest residential brokerage firm reports that signed contracts on properties are up compared to last year at the same time.
• Ex-FEMA Chief to Testify Again on Katrina Response
  Former Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown testifies Friday before the Senate Homeland Security Committee about the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. Brown was criticized heavily after the storm, but investigators have since uncovered many layers of mistakes, both above and below Brown's pay grade.
• Iraq's Parliamentary Vote Results Certified
  Officials have certified the final results of Iraq's parliamentary elections, one more hurdle that country has cleared in forming a new government. The ruling Shiite Muslim alliance has a near majority in the new parliament, with the Kurdish alliance and Arab Sunni parties dividing the remaining seats between them.
• Investor Relations Official in Spotlight at Enron Trial
  The trial of former Enron executives Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling concluded its second week Thursday with the first witness still on the stand. Mark Koenig, the former chief of investor relations at Enron, testified that he and Skilling misled analysts about the true financial condition of key Enron divisions.
• Cartoon Controversy Slams Denmark's Economy
  The publication of cariticatures of the Prophet Muhammed in a Danish newspaper -- and subsequently around Europe -- has caused unprecedented economic problems for Denmark. It has also triggered a debate among Danes over freedom of speech and religious multi-culturalism.

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