Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Ford workers: 'It's not over 'til it's over'
  Many workers at the Ford Assembly plant in St. The Twin Cities plant employs nearly 1,900 workers. Some of those workers say they're not giving up hope that the plant will somehow remain open. Ford say it won't.6:45 a.m.
• Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the recent warm weather in Minnesota with MPR's Cathy Wurzer. He also warns listeners that severe weather can strike quickly at this time of year.6:55 a.m.
• Ford confirms shutdown of St. Paul plant
  Ford Motor Co. has confirmed its plans to close its assembly plant in St. Paul in 2008. Officials from the United Auto Workers first announced the news was coming earlier in the day.7:20 a.m.
• How many veterans are homeless?
  No one is sure how many veterans are homeless and living on the streets and shelters. But a few organizations are trying to estimate the population, in hopes of better understanding the problem.7:50 a.m.
• A new strategy for Krispy Kreme in the Upper Midwest
  The new owner of Krispy Kreme stores in the Upper Midwest has a new vision for boosting sales of the famous glazed doughnuts. Lincoln Spoor spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about how his new plan could boost sales.8:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Red Cross Executives Admit Need for Cultural Shift
  Jack McGuire, interim CEO of the American Red Cross, and Ross Ogden, a member of the Board of Governors for the Red Cross, talk about investigations into the organization's handling of Hurricane Katrina and management behind the massive nonprofit.
• A Rare and Special Grandmother
  When Michelle Cadwallader was a child, her grandmother's odd nicknames and unique behavior were part of her charm. But as she grew older, Cadwallader realized there was more to the story.
• Cathedral Cleaner Uses Toothbrush and Light Touch
  Edwin Cardenas brought his family to America from Peru in 1985 and started work cleaning the Washington National Cathedral in 1990. Now he's the preservation technician, removing decades worth of grime from the building's limestone and marble interior, working with solvents and even a toothbrush.
• Renoir's 'Boating Party' Returns to the Potomac
  In a town full of museums, the Phillips Collection has always been Washington, D.C.'s most intimate, personal home for paintings. Now some 60 of its European masterworks are back after a four-year absence.
• 'The Notorious Bettie Page' Lacks Substance
  The Notorious Bettie Page is a movie based on the life of the pinup girl whose legendary poses transformed her into an icon. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan calls it an "empty film."
• U.S. Seen as Delaying Sudan Sanction Debate
  A year ago, the U.N. Security Council authorized targeted sanctions against Sudanese officials, and others responsible for atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region. But some U.N. diplomats accuse the U.S. of holding up talks on a list of people to be targeted by the sanctions.
• California Trial Aims to Dismantle Prison Gang
  In California, an ex-member of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang testifies about murders and assaults carried out behind bars. He's one of the government's prime witnesses in a federal effort to dismantle the Aryan Brotherhood.
• Real Estate Commissions Shrinking
  Real estate agents normally command 6-percent commissions of when they sell a house. But discount brokers and the Internet are eroding that cut. Wendy Kaufman reports that agents are returning most of their commissions to buyers to speed sales in areas where the boom is already over.
• Coming to Terms with New Orleans' Flood Zones
  This week the government released flood maps that tell New Orleans' residents where they can rebuild, and how high off the ground their houses have to be. Among the residents affected are Colleen and Donald Bordelon, who live in St. Bernard Parish.
• Retired Generals Criticize Rumsfeld's Leadership
  At least five retired generals are publicly calling for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to step aside. They are critical of his leadership at the Pentagon, and in the war in Iraq.
• Moussaoui Unpredictable on the Stand at Sentencing Trial
  Confessed terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui takes the stand at his sentencing trial for the second time. He tells jurors he is still ready to kill Americans, even in prison. Yet Moussaoui also tells them that he does not want to receive the death penalty. The trial is recessed until Monday.
• Iraqi Political Process Stuck in Neutral
  The political process in Iraq is stalled. Steve Inskeep talks to Anne Garrels about what is keeping it from moving forward, and what needs to happen to get it going again.
• Demand for Body Armor Benefits a Small California Company
  A small engineering firm in Orange County, Calif., has hit a bonanza with a hard ceramic material used for lightweight body armor. Demand for the product in the past five years has pushed the company from $45 million in sales to a projected $560 million. Rob Schmitz of member station KQED reports that the company is one of the fastest growing in Southern California.
• Tax Service Follows Clients to the Watering Hole
  Duffy's Irish Pub in Hoboken, N.J., is the most unlikely of places to get your taxes done. But it's possible because workers of "Tavern Tax" set up shop in neighborhood bars like Duffy's. Clients can either celebrate news of a refund or soak their sorrows in some suds.
• Rise in Gold Prices Not Likely to Last
  Prices for precious metals have climbed sharply in recent months. Gold has been getting most of the attention. But investors are snapping up silver and copper, too. Despite the current bull market in metals, historically they have been a poor bet. Jack Speer reports.

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