Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Weather with Mark Seeley
  Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked about the latest weather news with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley. They also looked ahead to the weekend forecast.6:55 a.m.
• Steel plant proponents poised to begin work
  The MPCA seems poised to approve the final permits for what proponents call the biggest industrial project in Minnesota history.7:20 a.m.
• Activists demand action to stop dropping water levels on Great Lakes
  Some Great Lakes watchers say there's a human cause for recent record low water levels. They want quick action. But others say just studying the issue will take years.7:25 a.m.
• A closer look at standardized testing
  Put to the Test, a new documentary produced by American RadioWorks, takes a look at how high-stakes testing is affecting schools. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Emily Hanford, one of the producers of the documentary.7:50 a.m.
• Vikings scrambling to avoid TV blackout
  The Minnesota Vikings have until 2 p.m. Friday to sell out the Metrodome and avoid a TV blackout of their first game of the season, this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Sean Jensen, who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Iowa First Stop for Thompson's Presidential Bid
  Now that Fred Thompson has declared that he's really running for president, the former Tennessee Republican senator and actor faces a more specific challenge. He needs to win over voters in the early primary states such as Iowa, where he made his first campaign stop.
• Penny Pinching Benefits One Blogger
  Dawn Meehan started a blog in hopes of getting extra income from ads on the site. She wrote about grocery shopping with her six kids and how hard it is to save money while the kids snuck things into the cart.
• Lawmakers to Investigate Toy Safety
  Democrats are set to launch investigations into toy safety and complaints about federal regulators. Toy maker Mattel announced a third recall of toys imported from China. Mattel and other toy makers have reportedly asked the government to impose mandatory safety-testing standards.
• Marine Sergeant Testifies in Haditha Hearing
  Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, accused in the deaths of Iraqi civilians, tells a military court "the threat had to be neutralized" after a roadside bomb hit his convoy and killed a fellow Marine. The officer overseeing hearings about the slayings in Haditha will make a court martial recommendation.
• Jobs Report Shows First Decline in Four Years
  Bad news this morning in the U.S. job market. Employment fell by 4,000 jobs last month, according to the Labor Department, the first drop in four years. The numbers reflect a job market that is much weaker than many analysts had believed.
• 'Yuma' Brings Back Western Movie Genre
  Western movies used to be thick on the land, but they've become scarce at the multiplex. A new one, 3:10 to Yuma, is out now. It is a remake of the 1957 classic, and it stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.
• Former Democratic Fundraiser Hsu Arrested
  Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu has been arrested, after failing to appear at a scheduled court hearing Wednesday in California. Hsu gave thousands of dollars to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and other top Democratic politicians. Hsu turned himself in last week, after spending 15 years on the lam for a 1991 grand theft conviction. Clinton and others say they're not keeping Hsu's money.
• Chinese Woman Fired for Contradicting Manager
  A Chinese woman is suing her former employer. The company says if employees contradict a manager, they get fined. If you contradict the boss three times, you're fired. Now the woman is talking back to her superiors — in court.
• Woman Finds Father's Portrait at Flea Market
  While browsing a flea market near her home in Florida, Margaret Pierson wasn't looking for a treasured family portrait but she found one: an old black-and-white photo of her father sold at their estate sale in Alabama after he died 35 years ago.
• Widespread Child Sex Abuse in Australia
  Australia faces a crisis at home as it hosts a world summit. There are revelations of sexual abuse of children in aboriginal communities. The Australian legislature has responded with strict reforms. Many are critical of those steps because of Australia's bitter history with aboriginal people.
• Report on Iraq's National Police Shows Inefficiency
  Reports are already in about the progress of the war in Iraq and managing after the U.S. leaves. One report is from retired Marine Gen. James Jones who Congress asked to assess Iraq's national police force. His report describes an overly sectarian force.
• Economic Anxiety Rises for Middle Class
  New research on the middle class shows that economic anxiety is rising. The economy as a whole may be doing well, but personal finances are suffering. Seven out of 10 Americans report living paycheck to paycheck, meaning there never seems to be enough left over for savings.
• Iran's Leadership Changes May Alter Policy
  Two key leadership changes in Iran might affect Tehran's policies. The head of the Revolutionary Guards, the military force charged with defending Iran's Islamic system of government, was replaced. Iran's Assembly of Experts chose a new chairman.
• Iraq Strategy Shifts as Warring Factions Don't Unite
  President Bush bypassed Baghdad and went to an air base in Anbar province. He met with tribal sheiks who have been working with the U.S. to drive out Islamic extremists. With the failure of the Iraqi government to unite, the Bush administration is slowly moving the goal posts.
• U.S. Mission in Iraq Likely to Change
  The U.S. mission in Iraq is likely to change in the coming months. President Bush may placate the Democrats and gradually pull out troops or move them out of harms by stationing them at bases and having them train the Iraqis. But the new mission will take years.

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