Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Start seeing snow
  Winter is knocking on our doors. Cathy Wurzer spoke with University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley about this weekend's cold front.6:55 a.m.
• Minneapolis to rule at Legislature
  A pair of lawmakers from Minneapolis, one of them an outspoken critic of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will lead the Minnesota House and Senate.7:20 a.m.
• U of M to extend code of conduct to off campus behavior
  Students who violate the code could have their degree withheld or revoked.7:50 a.m.
• Andy Saur's Vikings quest
  A Duluth man is on a quest to change the music the Minnesota Vikings play in the Metrodome before kicking the football. Andy Saur says the Vikings should be playing a Led Zeppelin song rather than the one they use by Guns N' Roses. He admits he's in for a long struggle.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• A Vietnam Veteran's Long Journey
  When Tom Geerdes came home from Vietnam, he was different. As he told his daughter Hannah Campbell recently, it wasn't until 10 years after his return that a chance event allowed him to heal.
• Universities Crack Down on Tailgate Tradition
  Universities across the country are placing restrictions on tailgating to curb underage and binge drinking. Tailgaters say they're cracking down on the wrong people. School officials say the restrictions will please the majority of fans.
• Bahrain Debates How to Bridge Sunni-Shiite Divide
  As Iraq's newly empowered Shiite majority struggles to take control of the country, Sunni Arab leaders in other countries with significant Shiite populations have grown increasingly nervous. The Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, for instance, is ruled by a Sunni-led government, despite the island's Shiite Muslim majority.
• Jim Webb Focused on Wealth Divide
  With the election of Virginia Democrat Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate, the Democrats won the majority of the seats in the Senate. Webb is both a supporter of U.S. troops and critical of the war in Iraq. But he tells Renee Montagne that this race was about more than Iraq.
• Russian Nears Deal to Join WTO
  After more than a decade of trying, Russia is on the verge of joining the World Trade Organization. The U.S. says it is likely to lift its objections and sign a deal with Russia next week. Russia is the largest country not currently in the WTO.
• Decoding the Sea Urchin Genome
  Scientists have just spent considerable effort reading the complete gene set of the sea urchin. It turns out, the sea urchin has a lot to tell us about how we develop from a single cell into a complete human being.
• New Bolton Confirmation Battle Looms
  John Bolton, the acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has been nominated by the White House to continue serving in that post. His original 2005 appointment was temporary and runs out when the current Congress adjourns. Opposition in Congress means Bolton is unlikely to remain at the U.N.
• Rural Voters Helped Put Democrats in Charge
  In key House races across the country, rural voters played a critical role in the Democrats' election success. They've been reliably Republican voters in past elections. But the issues of Iraq and the economy pushed them toward the Democrats.
• Compromise Key to Progress in Democratic Senate
  When the 110th Congress convenes in January, both chambers will be in the control of Democrats, the first time since 1994 that's happened. But they will have just be a one-seat majority in the Senate. Democratic leaders say they know they'll have to reach out to Republicans to get anything done.
• The Democrats' 100-Hour House Agenda
  The Democrats who captured the House this week have said they have an agenda for their first 100 hours in power. They intend to pass bills addressing terrorism, a minimum-wage increase, and lower drug prices.
• Rock, Paper, Scissors!
  Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper and paper beats rock. But rock, paper, scissors is not just a children's game. Jason Simmons, a professional player, schools Steve Inskeep in the game's finer points. Simmons will be attending the sport's world championship Saturday.
• 'A Good Year' Provides Few Good Reasons to Watch
  The last time director Ridley Scott and star Russell Crowe got together, the Oscar-winning action epic Gladiator was the result. This time it's a romantic comedy, and the results are not nearly so successful.
• Gates Has Just Two Years to Make a Difference in Iraq
  If confirmed as defense secretary later this year, Robert Gates will inherit America's most complex policy crisis in decades. Former Pentagon advisors and retired generals say Gates will have to come up with a creative solution fast if he hopes to salvage the situation in Iraq during President Bush's final two years in office.
• Democrats Storm Back from Oblivion
  Looking back on Tuesday's election, observers are struck by the strength of Democratic gains across the board. The Democratic wave comes just two years after it looked like the Republicans might have achieved their sought after "permanent Republican majority."
• Las Vegas Finds a Balance Between Rules and Expression
  There was a time when Las Vegas sold itself as a family entertainment center. But a ruling by the Nevada Supreme Court suggests what really sells. The court upheld a Las Vegas law that regulates lap dancers. This is not a ban on lap dancing, just an effort to spell out what strippers, and patrons, can do. The law was challenged by those who found it too vague. But the court says it strikes a balance between protecting society and free expression.

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