Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Sparks fly at 5th District debate
  Alan Fine took the opportunity to respond publicly to domestic abuse allegations from his past and to tried to link Keith Ellison with radical Muslim groups.7:20 a.m.
• As Mesaba struggles, other carriers wait in the wings
  Mesaba Airlines' identity may be closely linked with Northwest Airlines, but to the major carriers, the regional airlines are simply vendors. If one fails, others are ready for the job.7:25 a.m.
• "Bird x Bird" takes wing
  Birds are everywhere, but how do we really see them? That's one of the issues explored by a growing group of artists known as "Bird x Bird."7:53 a.m.
• Watchdog group says Bachmann church visit violated IRS rules
  A watchdog group says a Brooklyn Park church violated its tax-exempt status when its pastor endorsed Michele Bachmann during a service Sunday.8:24 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Connecting with Gut Values in 'Applebee's America'
  Political parties and campaigns are increasingly turning to corporate tactics to win over voters. In a new book, Applebee's America, former presidential political strategists say successful candidates must make a "gut values" connection with voters.
• Names Cause Confusion in New Jersey House Race
  The candidates in one New Jersey house race are Jim Saxton and Rich Sexton. The similarity between their names is causing some confusion.
• Pay Helps Keep Workers at Western Burger Chain
  The In-N-Out burger chain stands out among fast-food companies by offering starting wages of $9.50 an hour. Those relatively high wages haven't hurt the company, which has loyal customers in three western states.
• Voters Tell Washington that Ethics Matter
  In typical election years, scandal stories stick only to those right in the middle of the problem. But there's nothing typical about this year. And likely voters are saying that ethics do matter.
• South Dakota to Vote on Ending Judicial Protections
  South Dakotans will vote next month on a proposed state constitutional amendment that would strip judges, jurors, and other state officials, of their immunity from lawsuits for their official actions. The proposal has alarmed not only judges, but also large swathes of South Dakota society.
• Deadly Day Sees Death of 10 U.S. Troops
  Ten more American troops have died in Iraq. Nearly 70 U.S. service members have died in Iraq since the beginning of the month, making it one of the deadliest since the invasion.
• Rice Backs Japan with Defense Commitment
  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reaffirms America's commitment to the defense of Japan during a trip to Asia, where she is also shoring up support for sanctions against North Korea.
• Rome Welcomes the Stars for New Film Festival
  Rome is hosting a new film festival. It opened last weekend and a slew of celebrities showed up. But the festival is being billed as a populist event, accessible to all film buffs.
• Producer Prices Fall with Drop in Energy Costs
  The latest Consumer Price Index numbers are due, one day after producer prices were reported to have fallen sharply. The drop in producer prices stems largely from sizeable declines in gasoline and energy prices.
• Wall Street Workers Average $300,000 in Pay
  A new report from the New York Comptroller's Office says the average Wall Street worker earned nearly $300,000 last year. That's five times what an average New York City worker made.
• U.S. and Venezuela Battle at the U.N.
  At the United Nations General Assembly this week there have been more clashes between the U.S. and Venezuela. Venezuela is vying for an open seat on the U.N. Security Council, which the Bush administration is trying to block.
• Search for Food Dominates North Korean Lives
  North Koreans wake up each day thinking of only one thing: food. That's according to a man who left the country in 2000 and now lives in South Korea. In their search for food, the people of North Korea live with the fear of arrest and imprisonment by the government.
• NBA Switches from Leather to Synthetic Balls
  The National Basketball Association is switching balls. Gone are the old leather ones. In their place are balls made of a synthetic micro-fiber composite. Manufacturer Spalding say the new balls are easier to grip and provide uniform consistency.
• North Korea's Kim Jong-Il Skilled at Holding Power
  The popular image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as a hard-drinking playboy is not accurate, according to The New York Times Magazine reporter Peter Maass. He tells Steve Inskeep that Kim is a hard worker with a knack for survival.
• Democrats on Offense as Elections Approach
  Republicans and Democrats are targeting most of their money on a small number of races in the upcoming midterm elections. But the difference is that Republicans are defending seats with the money, while Democrats are using their money to attack GOP incumbents.

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