Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• A common ground for classical and rock
  A major New York City concert series uniting classical and indie rock audiences is coming to the Twin Cities this weekend. The Wordless Music Series is seen by some as a way to introduce younger, adventurous music fans to classical music.6:50 a.m.
• 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.
• Smoking ban goes statewide Monday
  If you're a smoker, and your city still allows you to light up in bars, you'd better enjoy it this weekend.7:19 a.m.
• What's a Vikings-Packers ticket worth?
  It's been about two months since the state of Minnesota repealed its ban on ticket scalping. This Sunday's sold-out Vikings-Packers game is perhaps the hottest ticket to be had since scalping went legit. And some folks are looking to score big by reselling tickets to the game.7:24 a.m.
• New health commissioner inherits troubled department
  Sanne Magnan will be inheriting a Health Department that has some current and past employees demoralized and distressed.7:40 a.m.
• Wis. bridge inspector Finn Hubbard
  Finn Hubbard talks about gauges that are being placed on Wisconsin bridges to sense saftey concerns.7:47 a.m.
• New MN Health Commissioner Sanne Magnun
  Morning Edition talks with the newly appointed Magnun about health care and department reform.7:52 a.m.
• Wisconsin is monitoring bridges with sensor technology
  The state of Wisconsin is installing sensors on 14 major truss bridges to monitor their safety. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talks to Wisconsin bridge engineer Finn Hubbard about how the sensory technology works.8:24 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Blackwater Eyes Domestic Contracts in U.S.
  The Blackwater security firm, subject of headlines related to deadly shootings in Iraq, would like to get more business working on natural disasters in the United States. In fact, it already has: its employees provided security to FEMA staff after Hurricane Katrina. But its future plan has made some people edgy.
• Centuries Later, Rumi's Words Continue to Inspire
  One of the most popular poets among Western readers today is actually a long dead poet of the East. Rumi, the 13th century poet of the Persian empire, still inspires with his works evoking ecstasy and the divine.
• A Bittersweet Goodbye in Brooklyn
  In 1957, Brooklyn Dodgers fans were devastated when they learned their team was moving to Los Angeles. Fifty years ago this week, the team played its last game at Ebbets Field. Harvey Sherman was in the stands.
• Sen. Coleman Battles Anti-War Sentiments
  Sen. Norm Coleman, a Republican from Minnesota, runs for re-election amid rampant anti-war sentiments. While anti-war Democrats contest his 2008 bid, constituents are not bashful about challenging his position on the war in Iraq.
• 'The Kingdom' Mirrors the Headlines
  Set in Saudi Arabia, The Kingdom is a film about American good guys going toe to toe with followers of terrorist Abu Hamsa. The film opens with sounds of bombs going off in an American housing compound, killing and wounding hundreds watching a softball game.
• Hate Crimes Measure Tied to Defense Spending
  Defying a White House veto threat, the Senate attaches landmark hate-crime legislation to the annual bill that authorizes defense spending. No president has ever vetoed such a defense bill, and this one includes both higher pay for the military and better health care for the wounded.
• Future London Mosque Sparks Debate
  Plans to build England's largest mosque are being met with controversy. It would be the largest mosque in Europe. The dispute is part of a larger debate about Islam and its place in British society.
• Britain, U.S. Enjoy Strong Association
  David Miliband, Britain's foreign minister, is a rising star in British politics. At 42, he is the youngest foreign minister in three decades. He was one of Prime Minister Tony Blair's cabinet secretaries. Miliband says Britain is committed to its "special relationship" with the U.S.
• Google Defends DoubleClick Deal
  Google defends its $3.1 billion acquisition of the Internet ad broker DoubleClick.com before Congress. But the deal faced considerable skepticism from Microsoft and other critics, saying the merger would allow Google unprecedented power over the online ad business.
• Economists Fear Inflation in Offing
  Economists worry the Federal Reserve may have to raise interest rates by the end of the year to prevent inflation. Prices of food, gasoline, and other consumer products are surging. Their concerns come 10 days after the Fed cut interest rates in a bid to sure up the credit market.

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