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  It's been about two months since the state of Minnesota repealed its ban on ticket scalping.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.
• New health commissioner discusses the challenges of the job
  Sanne Magnan, the new head of the Minnesota Department of Health, talks with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about reforming the troubled department.7:47 a.m.
• Community theater fans like the intimacy
  It's opening night at the Lakeshore Players Theatre, as the curtain rises on its production of "Harvey." Audiences appreciate the intimacy and convenience they find in community theaters.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

• Candidates Dash to Raise Campaign Cash
  Presidential candidates are turning to gimmicks in a surge of fundraising before the accounting books close on the third quarter. The financial reports that follow will be the campaigns' last chance to show healthy balance sheets before the first primaries.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• '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.
• Nickelodeon Channel Urges Kids to Play
  It is hard to pry kids away from the TV, especially on Saturdays. It could take the screen going blank. That's exactly what the kids' channel Nickelodeon will be doing this Saturday — for three hours — for its fourth annual Day of Play. It's aimed at getting kids to go outside, get dirty, and play. When the shows do come back on they'll feature real kids who have gotten in shape.
• Austria Activists Want Chimp Labeled 'Person'
  Animal-rights activists in Austria have vowed to go to their Supreme Court with their quest to get a chimp legally declared a "person." That's a legal term separate from "human." But it would allow the chimp to have a guardian if the shelter where he lives closes.
• U.S. Women's Soccer Team Falls to Brazil
  The top-ranked U.S. women's soccer team lost to Brazil 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup Soccer Games in China. The U.S. coach is being criticized. The defeat ends a 51-game unbeaten streak for the U.S. team.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Genes Linked to Suicide Risk in Some Patients
  Researchers have found two genetic markers that may predict who will have problems with antidepressant drugs before they take them. Antidepressants occasionally make depressed patients think about suicide. Previously, the only way to discover whether someone would have such a side effect was to give them the drug.
• GOP Presidential Frontrunners Skip Debate
  The GOP presidential hopefuls who lead the polls skipped a debate focusing on issues important to African-Americans. The debate at Morgan State University was broadcast on public television. Frontrunners Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Sen. John McCain and Fred Thompson missed the event.
• Wal-Mart Reduces Contact with Customers
  Wal-Mart Stores, the world's biggest retailer, has no intention of listening to ordinary consumers. It removed its customer service number from its Web site, and told customers to use the online self-help tool instead. So much for the customer comes first.

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