Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Biography recalls Mikkelsen's days with the Minneapolis Lakers
  A new biography of Basketball Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen recalls his days playing alongside George Mikan and Jim Pollard with the champion Minneapolis Lakers. Read an excerpt.6:50 a.m.
• Senate candidates sharply disagree about economy
  The Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate have radically difference approaches to tackling problems facing the nation's economy. Both want the deficit reduced, but would chart different courses to get there.7:20 a.m.
• Known names run for the 8th State Senate seat
  Minnesota's 8th District state Senate seat is up for grabs this year, after DFL Sen. Becky Lourey ran unsuccessfully for Governor. Her son Tony, of Kerrick, has stepped in as the DFL candidate. But he's not the only well known name in the race. Republican Dan Stevens of Mora served 10 years in the Minnesota Senate.7:52 a.m.
• Fine arts scene holds budget gems
  You don't need a fortune to explore fine arts in the Twin Cities. With a little digging, you can find theater in bars, discount opera and free jazz.8:24 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• New Technology Adds Precision to Lasik Surgery
  Laser surgery revolutionized eyesight correction ten years ago, and as the technology improves, so do the options. Two new Lasik techniques are making it easier to customize the procedure for the needs of each patient.
• North Korea Test Aimed at Internal Audience?
  Domestic factors may have driven North Korea's reclusive leader to conduct a nuclear test. Some analysts see it as an attempt to spur nationalism among the masses, while others say it could be a sign of Kim Jong-il's internal weakness.
• Dr. Slava Fyodorov's 'Beautiful Eyes'
  Many surgeons had tried before, but Soviet Russia's Svyatoslav Fyodorov was the first to perfect a surgical procedure that corrects nearsightedness. He had a vision: "Beautiful Eyes for Everyone." And once Gorbachev came into power, Fyodorov began exporting his surgical technique around the world.
• Budgets Threaten 'A Certain Kind of Blockbuster'
  Now in Theaters Everywhere: A Celebration of a Certain Kind of Blockbuster is a new book by Kenneth Turan about a type of smart studio movie which, Turan argues, is increasingly under economic threat of extinction.
• American Tied to Al-Qaida Charged with Treason
  For the first time in half a century, an American has been charged with treason. The United States charged Californian Adam Gadahn with the offense Wednesday. According to the indictment, he has appeared in several al-Qaida videos calling for violence against America.
• New York Plane Crash Scrutinized by Government
  National Transportation Safety Board investigators are in New York trying to determine what caused a small plane to crash into a high-rise apartment building in Manhattan on Wednesday. The crash killed New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and another person, believed to be Lidle's flight instructor.
• New Home Prices Predicted to Fall this Year
  The National Association of Realtors predicts the price of new homes in the United States will fall this year for the first time in 15 years. The association also projects that the price of existing homes will rise, barely.
• Turkish Writer Wins 2006 Nobel Literature Prize
  Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk wins the Nobel literature prize. Pamuk, 54, gained international acclaim for books including Snow, Istanbul and My Name Is Red. But he has also earned notoriety for legal troubles over his comments on Turkey's past.
• Surprises Common with Nobel Literature Prize
  The Nobel Prize for Literature often comes with controversy attached. If recent years are any indication, the best odds favor the darkest horse.
• HP Spying Scandal Offers Window into Board Battles
  Former Hewlett-Packard Chairwoman Patricia Dunn is aggressively defending herself against charges she masterminded a criminal spying campaign against other board directors and journalists. As the HP fallout continues, details about bitter divisions on the board are emerging.
• Chinese Government Warns Against Height Surgery
  China has issued a warning against some excruciating elective surgery. People are so obsessed with their height that they are having their legs broken, and stretched on a rack. This has been happening for years. But now authorities say ten people were disfigured after the surgery went wrong. A Chinese news agency says the surgery is getting too popular among young professionals "desperate to climb up the ladder in the country's height-conscious society."
• Pet-Cloning Company Closes its Doors
  The first company to work on cat and dog cloning is ending its business. The company said routinely cloning pets had proved too difficult to be commercially viable.
• President and Secretary of Defense Stay On-Message
  Speaking about Iraq and North Korea on Wednesday, President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld used very similar language to describe U.S. policies. One thing that appears clear is that the U.S. plans to pursue diplomatic solutions with North Korea.
• Letters: Cash Questions and Child Stress
  Listeners this week write in to ask about the legality of refusing cash, as well as the stress U.S. children face living in a wealthy society.
• North Korea Warns Japan on Sanctions
  North Korea has sent a warning to Japan. Pyongyang said that if the Japanese go ahead with economic sanctions, North Korea will respond with "strong measures." At the United Nations, U.S. diplomats are working to coordinate action against North Korea.

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