Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• North Shore writer and artist conjure an "Agate"
  A new children's book by two northern Minnesota writers combines vibrant watercolors with a gentle message of positive self-esteem.6:55 a.m.
• Six dead as flooding hits SE Minnesota
  Gov. Pawlenty says the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency will provide some relief. But in the meantime, county officials aren't sure they've found all the victims of the flood.7:20 a.m.
• Minnesota National Guard responds to flood scene
  Contingents of Minnesota National Guard members have been called into action to help with flood relief. JMPR's Cathy Wurzer talks with Maj. Trish Baker, a spokeswoman for the Guard.7:25 a.m.
• I-94 shutdown causes only minor headaches
  There were a few reports of traffic jams over the weekend, but overall, Department of Transportation officials say drivers took a shutdown of a section of I-94 in stride.7:50 a.m.
• Flood victims take shelter with Red Cross
  Hundreds of people have had to leave their flooded homes, and some are now in Red Cross shelters. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Joe Buchmann, the night manager at a Red Cross shelter at St. Mary's University in Winona.7:55 a.m.
• Monday Markets
  Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talks with Chris Farrell, MPR's Chief Economics Correspondent.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Researchers Seek to Recreate Fusion Power
  In southern France researchers are working on an idea for producing essentially limitless power without greenhouse gases. They're building a massive machine that will recreate what usually only happens in stars or the sun — fusion. That's where two atoms become one, and release energy.
• Iran's Ambitions Spark Fears in the Muslim World
  As Iran strengthens its military and political muscle, the nation's leaders seek to increase its influence over the Middle East. But Iran's ambitious talk of revolution worries its Arab neighbors.
• Turkey's New Parliament Begins Elections
  Turkish lawmakers cast their first round of votes for Turkey's next president. And a former Islamist, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, appears in a strong position to emerge the winner. His first bid four months ago was derailed by Turkey's military and secular elite.
• Hope Ebbs for Finding Trapped Miners
  Families of the six men trapped in a central Utah mine are speaking out. They are angry about the latest statement from mine officials. On Sunday a vice president of the mine said it's likely the six miners will never be found.
• Reports of Squalid Conditions at New Orleans Prison
  Former inmates at the House of Detention at Orleans Parish Prison report that conditions are not fit for humans, even two years after Hurricane Katrina hit the city.
• Thailand Endorses Draft Constitution
  Voters narrowly approve a constitution backed by the military-installed government. Officials say the vote is the first step on the road back to democracy for Thailand after a bloodless coup nearly a year ago.
• Hurricane Dean Pushes Endeavour to Return Early
  The threat of Hurricane Dean is forcing NASA to try to bring the Space Shuttle Endeavour back to earth one day early. NASA wants to avoid any disruptions to flight operations in case Hurricane Dean takes aim at Houston. That, however, now appears less likely. The shuttle is scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center.
• Funding Stagnant for No Child Left Behind Program
  Under the No Child Left Behind law states are supposed to reserve part of the federal money they receive for improving failing schools. But federal funding has been stagnant, so states have not had enough funds to set aside. As a result, the purpose of the law is being undermined.
• High Housing Prices Fuels Consumer Debt
  High-priced housing has fueled the economy since the last recession in 2001. That's partly because the population is older, richer, and able to borrow money with ease. But with home prices falling, and mortgages harder to get, that's likely to change. The Wall Street Journal reports that the biggest U.S. home-mortgage lender, Countrywide Financial, has started laying off employees.
• Farmers Switch Course in Battle Against Weeds
  In the age-old struggle between farmers and weeds, farmers have enjoyed the weed killer Roundup. Some have called it the herbicide of a lifetime. But after 30 years on the market the chemical seems to be losing its power over some weeds, changing farming practices nationwide.
• Asian Markets Jittery Despite Fed Action
  Asian financial markets shot back up after the Federal Reserve moved on Friday to put money into the banking system as well as cut the discount bank lending rate. While that calmed some fears about credit, investors remain jittery.
• Bamboo's Commercial Uses Gain Attention
  Much of the bamboo being used commercially comes from plantations in China. Horticulturalists think that someday it could and should be grown in the USA. It is an eco-friendly crop as it is typically grown without chemicals and pesticides. It's used commercially for everything from floors to blue jeans.
• DirecTV Manipulates Hollywood to Tout Virtues
  In the commercials, actors break out of iconic scenes from movies to spout the virtues of DirecTV. Charlie Sheen stops mid-pitch in Major League to sell high-definition TVs. Sigourney Weaver is actually battling a creature in a scene from Aliens when she says: "All I want to do is kick back and enjoy the DirecTV we just hooked up."
• Panda Romance Stems From Bamboo
  Conservationists in China hope it'll be a great aphrodisiac for endangered wild pandas. In the mountains of Sichuan and Gansu provinces, the wild panda population has been split up by developments and rivers, which has made it hard for many pandas to find mates. A new panda corridor between the southern and northern parts of the mountains is being planted with tasty bamboo. Scientists hope it will attract hungry pandas, and help them mate.
• Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Debate in Iowa
  All eight major Democratic presidential candidates sparred in Des Moines in a televised debate. The two biggest questions in the debate had to with too much and too little: Does frontrunner Hillary Clinton of New York have too much baggage to win the general election? And does Barack Obama have too little experience to do the job of president of the United States?

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