Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Children's Hospitals responds to surge in H1N1 cases
  A surge in suspected cases of flu has forced a hospital in St. Paul to call in extra staff and open up some more treatment space for emergency room patients.6:20 a.m.
• In Albert Lea, lifestyle changes lead to healthier lives
  In Albert Lea, many residents participated in a ten month-long project to make small, health-conscious changes to their lives. Although the project is coming to a close, indications are that the changes are here to stay.6:25 a.m.
• Latest health reform bill to address insurance 'age rating'
  The idea of charging older people more for health insurance didn't begin with reform -- it's already happening -- and the latest version of health care reform bill set for a Senate committee vote on Tuesday aims to limit how much more insurance companies can charge.7:20 a.m.
• Minnesota lawmaker's role in health care overhaul
  It's a big day for the health reform debate in Congress. The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on bill to overhaul the U.S. health insurance system.8:25 a.m.
• Celebrate the White Pine in autumn
  If yesterday's snow and the thought of the fall colors fading almost before they started have got you feeling a little down, commentator Peter Smith says not to worry. This is Minnesota and we can always take consolation from one of his favorite evergreens.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Fighter Jet's Noise Worries Some Potential Neighbors
  The military's next generation fighter jet, the F-35, has lots of attributes: It's fast, highly maneuverable and loud — much louder than the aircraft that are currently deployed. As the Air Force decides where to base the jets, some communities are questioning whether the economic benefits are worth the drop in quality of life from the noise.
• Selling Sickness: How Drug Ads Changed Health Care
  It's hard to turn on the television nowadays without seeing a drug ad. And the ads are working. Drug spending has increased by $180 billion over the past decade and a half and is part of what's driving the rising costs of health care.
• Military Buddhist Chapel Represents Tolerance
  After accusations of religious intolerance in 2005, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., built the first Buddhist chapel on a U.S. military base. These days, cadets who visit the chapel say their attendance is met with curiosity, not disdain.
• For Chinese Man, A Gut Instinct For Belly Dancing
  Mostly women — and an occasional man — each pay more than $750 a year to learn how to twirl and undulate their exposed midriffs at Chinese Celebrity Guo Wei Belly Dancing Club. The proprietor, Guo Wei, learned the art of belly dancing in Cairo, Egypt, and he now teaches classes in China and appears on TV.
• Web Lender Offers Microloans To U.S. Startups
  A Web site known for helping entrepreneurs in developing countries has turned its sights on the United States. It raises money from Internet users and dispenses microloans of $25 or more. A woman who runs a housekeeping business received $2,000 within one day of her request.
• Plain Talk Eases Police Radio Codes Off The Air
  When law enforcement officials realized officers from different agencies couldn't communicate with each other during emergencies because of different code systems, they pushed officers to use plain English when calling for backup or reporting a crime.
• Analysis: Pakistan Politics In Wake Of Attacks
  As the Pakistani military prepares for a ground offensive on the Afghan border, it's coping with a string of recent attacks inside the country. Rashed Rahman — former editor of the Post newspaper in Lahore — talks with Steve Inskeep about what these recent attacks mean for the country's political situation.
• As Other Nations Rebound, Spaniards Mired In Crisis
  As the recession appears to level out in many countries, Spain's economy continues to slide. The 19 percent unemployment rate is getting worse, and mainstay industries are all suffering. Experts worry that as the rest of Europe recovers and interest rates rise, the many Spaniards already deep in debt will sink deeper.
• Mexico's President Seizes State-Run Electric Co.
  Mexican President Felipe Calderon has seized the state-run electricity company in the capital and fired some 50,000 unionized workers. Calderon says the utility was inefficient and corrupt, and a drain on the national treasury. Labor leaders say he's playing with fire.
• Jury Selection Begins For Ex-Bear Stearns Bankers
  Jury selection begins Tuesday for the trial of Matthew Tannin and Ralph Cioffi, two former bankers at the defunct investment bank Bear Stearns. Their investment funds put clients' money in high-risk mortgage securities. According to prosecutors, they promoted the funds in public, but sent e-mails to each other about their fears of collapse. They could face 20 years in prison.

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