Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Sports legend Sid Hartman still works his beat at 89
  Star Tribune sports columnist and WCCO radio personality Sid Hartman turns 89 on Sunday and he plans to mark his birthday by doing what he does almost every day -- working.6:20 a.m.
• Minn. colleges go a year without drinking deaths
  No alcohol related deaths have been reported among Minnesota college students this school year. Last year several college-aged Minnesotans suffered alcohol related deaths and this prompted Minnesota colleges to step up their efforts to curtail binge drinking.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.6:55 a.m.
• Budget commissioner tells Congress how MN will spend stimulus
  Minnesota Commissioner for Finance and Budget Tom Hanson is in Washington today to discuss how Minnesota will spend its share of President Obama's economic stimulus package.7:20 a.m.
• Janesville, Minn. hit hard in the ethanol bust
  In the southern Minnesota town of Janesville, a brand new ethanol plant sits idle and unused, a sign of how bad things are in the industry.7:25 a.m.
• An analysis of legal strategies in the Senate trial
  Lawyers for Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken are expected to make closing arguments today in the trial over who should be Minnesota's second U.S. Senator. The election contest trial has lasted seven weeks.7:40 a.m.
• Astra Taylor takes philosophy to the streets
  A new movie called "Examined Life", screening at the Walker Art Center tonight, aims to bring philosophy, both ancient and modern, to bear on life today.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Shiite, Sunnis Tensions Rise In Saudi Arabia
  Sectarian tensions between Shiites and Sunnis are on the rise in Saudi Arabia. As in much of the Muslim world, Shiites are a minority in Saudi Arabia. The current troubles started last month, when the religious police reportedly harassed Shiite women worshipping in Islam's second-holiest city.
• Misery And Muses On 'The Edge Of Love'
  The wife and the lover of poet Dylan Thomas become unlikely allies in the lushly filmed Edge of Love. Critic Kenneth Turan says in this case, less — of its self-involved characters — might well have been more.
• Sky-High Chinese Art Market Comes Back To Earth
  Over the past five years, the market for contemporary Chinese art rocketed up 583 percent. But like so many other markets, it was driven by speculation and greed. Now, that bubble has burst — a development some artists actually welcome.
• Zoe Heller, A True 'Believer' In Bad Characters
  Novelist Zoe Heller has a soft spot for selfish characters. But, the author says, just because her characters are unlikable, doesn't mean they are without virtue. Her new novel, The Believers, uncovers a tangled web of secrets inside a lefty New York family.
• Are Ethic Lapses Responsible For Bad Economy?
  What role has ethics — or the lack of it — played in the current economic downturn. Sandra Sucher, who teaches ethics at Harvard Business School, talks with Linda Wertheimer about how the school is training students not to repeat the mistakes of others.
• Stewart's 'Daily Show' Chastises CNBC's Cramer
  Fake newsman John Stewart has been slamming the media for its reporting leading up to the financial crisis. Stewart has taken special aim at the business channel CNBC and one of its hosts. Jim Cramer, of "Mad Money," appeared on Stewart's show Thursday night. The two did agree that finance reporters should ask tougher questions.
• Larry Summers Is Administration's Economic Voice
  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has been the administration's point man on the economy. Some feel that he has not been an effective messenger. When Geithner first presented a bank bailout plan, the stock market took a dive. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who is the White House economic advisor, appears to be taking on a larger role, and may eclipse anything that Geithner says in the coming weeks.
• Mud Forces Golfer Down To His Underwear
  Golfer Henrik Stenson found a way to steal the spotlight away from Tiger Woods at the World Golf Championship in Florida. The Swedish golfer stripped down to his underwear to play a shot after it landed in the mud. Stenson says because of the mud, he couldn't afford to play in his clothes because it would have been a real mess.
• Protests Direct Challenge To Pakistan's President
  Protesters in Pakistan are trying to reach the capital Islamabad, but are being stopped by police. They are demonstrating against recent moves by President Asif Ali Zardari intended to neutralize his chief political opponents. As the protest gains momentum, it is now seen as a direct challenge to Zardari's government.
• How Does Economy Compare To Past Downturns?
  Bad economic news seems to come at us from all sides, and we often hear the words "worst since the Great Depression" in reference to things like job losses and foreclosure rates. But it's important to put the current downturn in context.
• Madoff Waits In Jail For June Sentencing
  Bernard Madoff has gone from a $7 million penthouse to a tiny jail cell in Manhattan. Madoff pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday, but implicated no one but himself. Investigators continue to pore over records, trying to figure out, among other things, who helped Madoff engineer the $64 billion fraud that may be the largest in U.S. history. Madoff will be sentenced on June 16.
• You Really Can Get Something For Nothing
  Finding money scarce? Check out the Really, Really Free Market. The movement started about four years ago during the anti-globalization protests in 2004, as a way to create something positive beyond protests. Everything at the market is free —there's not even any barter.
• Space Station Has Close Call With Space Junk
  A tiny bit of space junk just a third of an inch wide had the crew of the International Space Station scrambling for safety Thursday, as experts continue to debate what can be done about all the trash that's orbiting our planet.
• It Takes More Dough To Buy Russian Bread
  Bread has a major place in Russian culture. It's more than just a staple. In Russia's turbulent history it's often been the only thing that's kept people alive. Now this delicious part of Russian life is under threat.
• GE's Credit Downgrade Reflects Economy
  General Electric lost its AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's Ratings Service, which said crumbling economic conditions could worsen credit losses at GE Capital. Still, the one-notch downgrade was less severe than many had feared, and that in turn, helped bolster the stock market.

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