Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Agricultural interests push counties for "10-ton roads"
  Farmers and others say moving the millions of tons of farm commodities off fields and to market is taking a heavy toll on county roads. The fix could cost billions.6:53 a.m.
• Small towns search for candidates
  As voters across the region head to the polls on Election Day, they'll see ballots filled with the names of people eager to serve in public office. But in some of Minnesota's rural communities it's getting harder to find folks who want to run for office.7:20 a.m.
• Honor democracy by voting says commentator
  Minnesota has a historically high turnout rate in elections compared to the rest of the nation. But even in Minnesota, many eligible voters will not cast a ballot. Commentator John Doan, a 31-year-old father of two from Blaine, wants to urge every potential voter to vote with a story about what brought him to this country, and what motivates him to head to the polls.7:26 a.m.
• Hicks makes history at the Minnesota Orchestra
  In its 103-year history, the Minnesota Orchestra never had a woman on its conducting staff...until September when Sarah Hatsuko Hicks became assistant conductor.7:51 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn Shine at CMA
  The Country Music Association handed out its annual awards Monday night in Nashville. The big winners were Kenny Chesney, named entertainer of the year, and the duo Brooks & Dunn, whose song "Believe" picked up three awards.
• Report Cites Abuse in Palestinian Territories
  A new report by Human Rights Watch says officials in the Palestinian territories are failing to deal with rampant abuse against women.
• West Bank City of Nablus Suffers from Lawlessness
  In the West Bank city of Nablus, gunmen have virtually taken over the streets and residents are afraid to leave their homes. The mayor of Nablus blames Israel for this grim situation. But some Nablus residents say the Palestinians themselves are responsible.
• Perennial Candidates Entertain the Electorate
  Almost every state has its perennial candidates. Illinois has Ray Wardingley, once known as Spanky the Clown. He's run eight times, and lost eight times. This year he's running for Congress.
• Scientists Push Registry for Nuclear Materials
  Some scientists are pushing for a worldwide registry of all nuclear materials. They argue that it would help officials identify the source of a nuclear bomb if one was ever used in an attack. Some think a registry could also deter terrorists wary of traceable materials.
• Daniel Ortega's Staying Power
  Daniel Ortega's Nicaragua was at the center of U.S. foreign policy 20 years ago. The Reagan administration gave financial and military support to the anti-Sandinista forces known as the Contras. Now Ortega appears to be headed back to power.
• Imelda Marcos Produces Clothing Line
  The former first lady of the Philippines is coming out with a fashion line. Imelda Marcos says her new collection will be affordable, and include shoes.
• KFC Brings Tasty Treats to North Vietnam
  Consumer groups have welcomed the news that KFC will be phasing out trans fat from the frying process. In Hanoi, many people are just happy that KFC has finally come to the heart of communist Vietnam.
• Investors Bid to Take Four Seasons Chain Private
  An offer to take the Four Seasons luxury hotel chain private is being backed by Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Bill Gates' Cascade Investment company. The two are poised to take the company private, along with controlling shareholder Triples Holdings Limited, for $3.7 billion.
• YouTube Honored by 'Time' Magazine
  Time magazine has named the video-sharing Web site YouTube as its "Invention of the Year for 2006." The magazine says YouTube's scale and sudden popularity have changed how information is distributed.
• Clean Water Act Enforcement Falls to Active Citizens
  Federal laws designed to protect the nation's wetlands are difficult to enforce in small towns. In one northern Wisconsin town, local property owners have taken on the burden of patrolling land developers who skirt the now ambiguous Clean Water Act.
• Florida a Favorite as College Basketball Begins Play
  College basketball begins another season Tuesday night, with the University of Florida returning most of its key players from a team that won the NCAA title in April in Indianapolis. They are the preseason favorites to win when the championship game rolls around again, this time in Atlanta.
• High School Students Return to New Orleans -- Alone
  Hundreds of teens have returned to New Orleans to finish high school, without their parents. It's a chance to graduate with the classmates they've known for years. But school officials say the lack of parental supervision is causing discipline problems.
• New Orleans Rebuilds Prisons Amid Calls for Reform
  Thousands of prisoners from New Orleans have been held in jails around Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina. They are now returning to the city's prison, a temporary holding facility built by FEMA. But many public-safety advocates say New Orleans needs to reform its prison system instead of rebuilding it.
• Israel Ends Offensive in Palestinian Town
  Israel ended an offensive in Palestinian territory Tuesday when it pulled its troops out of Beit Hanoun. They had been in the town for a week, during which one Israeli soldier was killed, along with more than 50 Palestinians.

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