Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota photographer captures the prairie
  Many people dismiss the North Dakota plains as an uninspiring landscape. A Moorhead photographer, Wayne Gudmundson, uses words like comfortable and intimidating to describe the prairie. Gudmundson has spent 35 years photographing the prairie and a retrospective of his work opens this week.6:47 a.m.
• Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson's Game Plan
  This weekend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson faces a new challenge. Known as a professional wrestler and an action movie star, he's now trying family comedy. Johnson is going through a full-scale transformation for the role.6:51 a.m.
• Steel plant prompts global warming worries
  A lawsuit against the Department of Natural Resources is challenging how seriously the state is taking its fight against climate change.7:20 a.m.
• Does community equal quality?
  Minnesota has an estimated 300 community theaters across the state. They outnumber professional theaters 2-1. But community theaters often have a reputation for being of a lesser artistic standard than their professional colleagues.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Bush Climate-Change Conference Has Doubters
  President Bush invites 15 countries to the White House to talk about ways to slow global warming. But he has been criticized for moving too slowly to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. There's skepticism that the meeting will bring real progress.
• Setzer Swings into Classical with 'Wolfgang'
  In the 1990s, The Brian Setzer Orchestra helped reinvigorate interest in swing music. Now Setzer turns to classical fare with his CD Wolfgang's Big Night Out.
• Bonds' Record Home Run Ball Goes to Hall of Fame
  Many have suggested it, but now it's right there for all to see on the ball that Barry Bonds hit for his much-debated record-breaking home run. That ball will go to the Baseball Hall of Fame branded with an asterisk. Before donating it to the Hall of fame, the ball's new owner conducted a poll online and voters said (47 percent to 34 percent) stamp on the asterisk, signaling a contested record.
• Sallie Mae Sale May Be in Trouble
  A deal to buy out Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of student loans, is in jeopardy. A group led by the private equity firm JC Flowers, along with Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase is having second thoughts about the $25 billion purchase price.
• Ridge: From Homeland Security to Travel Booster
  America's first Secretary of Homeland Security, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, works for the travel industry now. He says some of the border-security measures he helped put in place should be made less onerous to encourage tourism.
• Diyala Still in Turmoil After U.S. Occupation
  A visit to a small village explores U.S. military claims that its occupation of Iraq's Diyala province has increased security there. Insurgent attacks continue, the local economy is suffering and the local population is increasingly anti-American.
• U.S. Envoy Khalilzad on Iran's Nuclear Stance
  Iran's president told the United Nations General Assembly that his nation will follow its own path on nuclear power. That gives the U.S. and its allies an opening to discuss tougher sanctions against Iran.
• Today's GI Bill Falls Short of College Costs
  The way the GI Bill serves veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is quite different from the way it served soldiers of World War II. Today it covers only 60 percent of the cost of a public-school education.
• Michigan Lawmakers at Budget Impasse
  Michigan legislators work through the night to try and pull together a budget, but without success. Government computers need to be re-programmed to mail out checks next week, and the state is without a budget.
• Verizon Says No to Political Messages
  Verizon Wireless rejectes a request from an abortion rights group to use its network to send text messages. The phone company says it has the right to block messages that "seek to promote an agenda" or are "controversial or unsavory."
• Democratic Rivals Pounce on Clinton at Debate
  Eight Democratic presidential candidates participate in a debate in New Hampshire. Sen. Hillary Clinton, the top contender, was politely pressed by rivals. She did her best to avoid being pinned down on questions about Iran, Social Security and baseball.
• Congress Delays Start of Prescription Rules
  Congress votes to delay by six months a new requirement intended to reduce prescription drug fraud in the Medicaid health program. Health-care providers were unprepared to comply with rules for "tamper-proof" prescription pads.
• Crackdown on Myanmar Protests Persists
  The Myanmar government sends troops to the streets of Yangon for a second day to confront thousands of protesters. The military appears to be stepping up efforts to end more than a week of anti-government protests.
• U.N. Sends Envoy to Myanmar
  U.N. Security Council members aren't in agreement on what role to play in Myanmar. But they back a decision to send a U.N. envoy to urge military rulers to exercise restraint in dealing with mass protests led by Buddhist monks.
• Will Paramount and DreamWorks Really Split?
  The Spielberg-Geffen project DreamWorks studio was bought by Paramount Pictures two years ago. It has been responsible for much of Paramount's recent success. How solid are the rumors that the two may go their separate ways?

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