Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Spreading the word about manure
  More farmers are using manure to beat the high cost of commercial fertilizer. The practice brings with it environmental issues.6:45 a.m.
• Political ads on TV coming fast and furious
  With less than two weeks to go before election day, candidates around Minnesota and interested parties are producing new political ads and buying air time at a feverish pace. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum about a pair of new ads in the race for governor.7:41 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Fighting Flares as Gaza Conditions Deteriorate
  The increasingly fierce political fight between Palestinian rival groups Hamas and Fatah -- worsened by deteriorating economic and security conditions -- has many of Gaza's 1.4 million residents bracing for even rougher times ahead.
• Missouri Voters Weigh Stem-Cell Decisions
  A ballot initiative on stem-cell research is dividing Republicans in Missouri, and shaking up the U.S. Senate race between GOP Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill.
• 'Catch a Fire' Breathes New Life into an Old Story
  Catch a Fire sounds like an awfully familiar story. And, in some ways, it is. Movies on how South Africa suffered under apartheid, and the heroic efforts made to resist that repressive system, are hardly new. So it's tempting to write off this newest look at that era as too familiar and too late. That would be a mistake.
• Democrats Work to Bolster Rising Fortunes
  Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean talks about his party's trouble raising money this election season, and what the Democrats prospects are in midterm elections.
• Chinese Energy Investment Clouds Sudan Diplomacy
  As fighting escalates in Sudan, attention is focusing on the country propping up the Khartoum government by purchasing most of its oil: China. Sudan is the home to China's largest overseas energy investment. And despite its public disavowals, China now has a vested interest in the outcome of the fighting there.
• Congo Presidential Heavyweights Ready for Election
  The Congo's presidential run-off election takes place Sunday, with President Joseph Kabila facing Jean-Pierre Bemba. Both are relatively young, were educated abroad and owe their position largely to influential fathers. Both candidates also retain sizeable private armies.
• Crack Cocaine Sentencing Rules Hit 20
  Friday is the 20th anniversary of a law that created mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine crimes. The rules mandated far harsher sentences for people caught with crack cocaine than for those caught with powdered cocaine. Many say the sentencing disparity is unfair.
• Civilians Killed in NATO-Taliban Fighting
  NATO officials have confirmed that at least 12 civilians were killed earlier this week in an air strike targeting Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. NATO strikes in the Panjwayi district may have killed as many as 85 civilians recently. The area has been the site of heavy fighting between NATO forces and the Taliban since May.
• Southern California Wildfire Kills Four Firefighters
  More than 1,000 firefighters continue to battle a wildfire near Palm Springs, Calif., that was deliberately set. The blaze has claimed four firefighters' lives and left a fifth on life-support.
• Battle for the Senate Down to Four States
  The battle for control of the Senate has come down to four states: Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia and New Jersey. With 11 days before the election, it's still not clear who will control Congress.
• In New York, 'Horror Stories' and Halloween
  When Juliet Jegasothy immigrated from Sri Lanka, she had already heard about life in America. "I was so terrified to even open the door," she says, "because I had heard all these horror stories about crooks, and gangsters, and guns, in New York." But when Halloween came, Jegasothy had to learn the hard way.
• St. Louis One Step from Taking World Series Title
  The St. Louis Cardinals are on the verge of winning the World Series after taking a 3-1 lead with a win over Detroit on Thursday night. The Cardinals rallied to beat the Tigers 5-4.
• Bankers Worry About Predatory Lending Law
  A new law designed to protect military families from predatory lenders is facing criticism. The measure was signed into law last week. But some mainstream bankers are concerned the law will affect them unfairly.
• Rising ARMs May Upset Housing Market
  Adjustable-rate mortgages, ARMs for short, have been a popular way for people to buy a home. The loans will adjust to higher rates in the next two years, and that has many experts making dire predictions about the housing markets.
• America's Weight Gain Drives Up Fuel Consumption
  Here's a way you might save money on gas. A study in the current issue of The Engineering Economist finds that Americans pump 938 Million more gallons of gas today than in 1960 because drivers and passengers are 25 pounds heavier on average. And that added weight increases fuel consumption. So, next time you pull into the drive through, save gas by ordering a diet coke with the double bacon Cheeseburger and super size fries.

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