Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Thomas Hirschhorn's cave
  There is a new opportunity to do cave exploration in the Twin Cities starting this weekend. It's at the Walker Art Center of all places. Using cardboard, and packing tape wrapped around a wood structure, a Swiss artist has created a huge five-chambered cave.6:49 a.m.
• The "roadless rule" and state land: a special case
  A California judge's ruling reinstating the "Clinton roadless rule" has complicated the debate about the use of forests in Minnesota.7:21 a.m.
• More "voters" take a pass on... voting
  This November, the largest political party won't be the Republicans or the Democrats. As in years past, it'll be the non-voters.7:43 a.m.
• The St. John's Boys' Choir tries something new
  The St. John's Boys' Choir in Collegeville is celebrating its 25th anniversary by performing a commissioned one-act opera entitled "The Star Gatherer."7:48 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Safety, Prosperity Return to Afghan Village
  Five years after the invasion of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, the Taliban has been making a comeback in the country's south. But in the north, at least one village has found peace and prosperity.
• Hard-Won Wisdom, and a Helping Hand
  Edwin Lanier has been sober for more than 5 years. But it took a threat, and a helping hand, for him to change. As Lanier told his friend David Wright recently, he drank for many years -- and he nearly drank himself to death. Wright eventually took Lanier in, gave him a shower and clean clothes, and a place to start over.
• Iraq's Sectarian Violence Forces Displacement, Fear
  Escalating sectarian violence in Iraq has forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and has led many Iraqis to conceal their identities out of fear, according to the author of a new study.
• GOP Scrambles to Save Congressional Majority
  With record-low approval ratings, Republican congressional representatives are scrambling to get ahead in the polls. With only three weeks to go before midterm elections, everyone is asking whether the GOP can hold on to either house of Congress.
• St. Louis Advances to Face Detroit in World Series
  The Detroit Tigers meet the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday in Major League Baseball's World Series. The Cardinals won a dramatic contest against the New York Mets to advance to baseball's championship series. But the surprise of the year has been Detroit.
• Tight Midterm Races Force Tough Money Decisions
  Highly competitive midterm congressional elections are causing the GOP, and other groups, to reevaluate which races to invest in. Linda Wertheimer interviews candidates from two affected Ohio districts.
• Grasso Ordered to Return NYSE Pay
  A judge ruled Thursday that Richard Grasso has to return much of the big pay package he got when he was the chair of the New York Stock Exchange while it was still a nonprofit organization. Grasso was criticized for not explaining details of his pay package to his board.
• General: Baghdad Security 'Disheartening'
  Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, has described the violence in Baghdad as "disheartening," admitting that a recent plan to quell the violence has not achieved the hoped for results.
• Eastwood Returns with 'Flags of Our Fathers'
  At 76, actor and director Clint Eastwood is enjoying a Hollywood winning streak. He's helmed a string of accomplished, critically acclaimed movies in the last several years. In his latest film, opening in theaters Friday, he focuses his director's lens on one of the most famous moments of World War II.
• Signs of Progress Accompany Rice in China
  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits China to coordinate with officials there on enforcement of a U.N. resolution against North Korea. There are indications that the U.S., China and North Korea may be ready to return to six-party talks over Pyongyang's nuclear program.
• Bush Makes Push for Two Imperiled Incumbents
  President Bush gives some campaign help to two Republican incumbents whose re-election is in doubt. Virginia Sen. George Allen and Pennsylvania Rep. Don Sherwood both received visits by the president.
• Panel Likely to Recommend Iraq Policy Changes
  An independent panel commissioned by Congress to examine the Iraq war is set to recommend policy changes after the November elections. Iraq Study Group sources say the White House will likely review the recommendations before they're released.
• FBI Investigates Pennsylvania Republican Weldon
  Add another Pennsylvania Republican to the list of endangered House incumbents. This time it's Curt Weldon, who is reportedly being investigated by the FBI for possibly steering federal contracts to his daughter.
• Charter School Supporters Respond to Falling Scores
  With test scores falling behind in some states, charter school supporters are calling for greater scrutiny. They say weeding out under performing schools will actually strengthen the movement.
• Dow Closes Above 12,000
  The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Thursday above the 12,000 mark for the first time. Also, Google exceeded expectations with its third-quarter earnings.

Resources

• Future Tense®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories

Become a Sponsor