Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Some districts hope 'smaller is better' will get levies passed
  For districts that have seen levies fail in the past, some are trying again and asking for less money.7:20 a.m.
• Bachmann says America may be 'changed forever' if Obama elected
  A day after expressing regrets over comments made about presidential candidate Barack Obama last week, Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on a national conservative radio program and raised more questions about the Democratic presidential nominee.7:45 a.m.
• Builders Association creates a continuous city
  A new theater production opening in Minneapolis examines the impact of global telecommunication on fundamental human relationships, including that of parent and child.7:50 a.m.
• Future Tense with Bob Collins
  Why can't the U.S. make an electronic voting machine that works?8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• University Uses 'Social Norming' To Curb Drinking
  The number of alcohol-related deaths is on the rise at colleges nationwide. But at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, no student has died from intoxication or an accident linked to drinking since 1998. The school's prevention program relies on peer health educators and honesty about the effects of alcohol.
• In Hollywood, Hard Times May Mean Good Times
  The only bromide in Hollywood older than "boy meets girl" is that "movies are recession-proof." And it seems to be true — local theaters can offer a cheap getaway from life's troubles. John Ridley says that often, the boost in box-office sales seems to inspire some great movies.
• Insults And Praise On The Classical Campaign
  Commentator Miles Hoffman offers a classical variation on a political theme: insults and endorsements among the great composers. Invectives hurled at their colleagues and competitors were effective means of shaping public opinion. Whether positive, negative or the all-too-common flip-flop, classical-music criticism, just like political commentary, is little more than biased opinion in time.
• Is Palin A Drag On McCain's Campaign?
  GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin are campaigning separately Thursday after a pair of tag-team rallies Wednesday in the battleground state of Ohio. Palin continues to energize the Republican base, but there are signs she's not helping the ticket win broader appeal.
• Obama Rebuts Criticism Of His Tax Plan
  Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama made his case to voters Wednesday in the battleground state of Virginia. He brushed off rival John McCain's accusations that his tax plan amounts to socialism. It was his last full day of campaigning before taking time out to head to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother.
• Steve Forbes: 'How Capitalism Will Save Us'
  Steve Forbes, the publisher of Forbes magazine, has the cover story in this week's issue. Forbes — who ran twice for the Republican presidential nomination — is now a special economic adviser to John McCain. Forbes says the government must take emergency steps to save the economy, like buying up troubled mortgages and purchasing stock in financial firms.
• The Early Voter Gets To Queue
  The presidential election is 12 days away, but already nearly 4 million people have voted. Early voting is so popular in Florida and some other states that election officials are having to accommodate voters who wait hours to cast their ballots.
• Rating Industry's Role In Crisis Explored
  The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee had a hearing Wednesday to investigate the role of credit rating agencies in the nation's worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The committee is holding a series of hearings to examine how the financial meltdown began.
• Boeing's Earnings A Tool In Machinists Strike
  Talks aimed at settling the Machinists Union strike at Boeing resume Thursday at the request of a federal mediator. Both the union and management have strong incentives to settle. Boeing reported a big earnings decline Wednesday.
• Santa Suit Filed Against Mall
  Michael Graham has been the Santa at Tyson's Corner Center for 18 years. He bags about $30,000 for five weeks' work. The rest of the year, he's a carpenter in Tennessee. Last month, the mall gave Graham the boot. Graham sued. His contract is apparently good through 2012, and he claims the mall didn't give him enough time to find another job. After hundreds of angry calls from shoppers, a mall spokeswoman offered an apology. She said company officials are working with Graham to reach a financial settlement and find him another Santa seat.

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