Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Steel plant proceeds slowly
  Officials with Minnesota Steel Industries plan a $1.6 billion iron-to-steel operation near Nashwauk. But environmental permitting is taking longer than they expected.7:20 a.m.
• Nationwide "calling card" for Courage Center
  Courage Cards are going nationwide this year. You've probably seen them in stores or perhaps received them in the mail. The proceeds from the sale of the cards helps fund programs at the Golden Valley-based Courage Center.7:25 a.m.
• Reflections on Radke
  A look at Twins starting pitcher Brad Radke's career as he is expected to officially announce his retirement from baseball today.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Lebanon's Siniora Optimistic on Solution to Crisis
  Lebanon's prime minister says an agreement is close for ending a deepening political crisis. The government of Fuad Saniora is facing open-ended street protests. The Hezbollah-led opposition has staged the demonstrations to pressure Siniora to resign.
• North Carolina Works to Preserve Coastal Access
  Boaters along the North Carolina coast are facing ever-increasing fees to get in the water. Now, the state has set up a commission to look at ways coastal towns can preserve what's left of their public water access.
• Book World Loses Narrator Kate Fleming
  Kate Fleming, one of the country's most talented narrators of audio books, died last week. Fleming drowned after rainwater from a severe storm flooded her basement studio.
• Baghdad NPR Staff Member Welcomes Baby Boy
  Baghdad NPR staff member Saleem Amer told listeners last week about how he and his wife were preparing to have a baby in war-torn Baghdad. Today he tells us about the birth of their baby boy, Youseff.
• Iranians Vote for Change in Local Elections
  Partial returns from last Friday's elections in Iran indicate a setback for conservative President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.
• Holiday Shipping Season Nears Peak
  The holiday season means big bucks for shipping companies and the U.S. postal service. And the biggest shipping day of the year is projected to take place Wednesday.
• New Underwater Fiber-Optic Link Planned for Pacific
  Verizon announced it has signed agreements with various Asian firms, including China Telecom, to build an undersea communications cable across the Pacific. The advanced cable will greatly increase the amount of voice and data traffic that can cross the Pacific.
• U.S. Delegation Returns from Talks in China
  Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and the high-level delegation he led on a visit to China, is in Washington. The group discussed currency and other trade issues with China.
• Colombian President Snared by Scandal
  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is embroiled in the biggest scandal of his political career. Nine congressmen, all allies, have been implicated as having had ties to right-wing paramilitaries.
• Further Political Consolidation in Venezuela?
  Venezuela's ruling party is attempting to forge a single pro-government party. Opponents say the push is intended to consolidate more power in the hands of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
• U.S. Delegation Probes Cuba for Hints of the Future
  The largest U.S. congressional delegation to visit Cuba since 1959 tried, but failed, to open a dialogue with Fidel Castro's brother, Raul. But they did meet with an array of high-level Cuban officials.
• Libya Sentences Foreigners to Death in HIV Case
  A Libyan court sentences five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor to death on charges that they deliberately infected more than 400 children with HIV in a Libyan hospital.
• Gaza Cease-Fire Disrupted by Gun Battle
  Just two days ago, rival Palestinian factions announced a cease-fire. Now it appears to be in tatters, with Hamas gunmen and forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas exchanging fire at a Gaza hospital.
• Hope Fades for Rescue of Missing Mt. Hood Climbers
  Rescue efforts are still under way to find two missing climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood. A third climber was found dead over the weekend.
• The Roots of Audio Recordings Turn at 78 RPM
  Our series on how technology affects art continues with a report on how those old 78 RPM records set the stage for music today's recordings.

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