Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Graywolf is turning readers into donors
  Graywolf Press in St. Paul has announced it's successfully completed a $1 million fundraising campaign. It's a singular feat in the world of literature and it has implications for other non-profit literary presses.6:21 a.m.
• Climatologist Mark Seeley's weekly weather comments
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley joins MPR's Cathy Wurzer to discuss the weather. Today, he discusses the warm December in Minnesota, and the biggest weather related stories of 2006.6:55 a.m.
• In the line of attorneys general, it's time for the men to move over
  The Lori Swanson era is about to begin in the Minnesota attorney general's office. Swanson becomes the state's 29th attorney general, next week, and the first woman elected to the office.7:21 a.m.
• What rights does an immigrant have?
  The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on Swift meatpacking plants could produce a rash of lawsuits. Immigration lawyers say some people were wrongly detained while federal officials say the actions were completely legal.7:25 a.m.
• The garden guru answers your questions
  Deb Brown, the garden guru, joins MPR's Cathy Wurzer for one of her monthly visits to answer questions about plants, gardening, and landscaping. This month, one of the questions is about what to do with the Christmas tree after Christmas.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Merce Cunningham: Dance at the Edge
  Considered by many the greatest living choreographer, Merce Cunningham's career began with Martha Graham and spans 60 years of innovations in dance and music. At 87, Cunningham is still creating new works and he remains on the leading edge of dance.
• From One Question, Two Families Spring
  As she washed the dishes one night, Cathy Resmer asked her friend Jules Fishelman a direct, but unexpected, question: "Would you like to be our sperm donor?" For Resmer, the request stemmed from her relationship with Ann-Elise Johnson. For Fishelman, it was a day that changed his life.
• Privacy Concerns Crop Up with U.S. Security Plans
  The Department of Homeland Security is trying to coordinate all the identification and screening programs it runs. But privacy rights groups worry that the more consolidated these programs and databases are, the more threatening they are to individual rights.
• New Realities Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
  During 2006, calls for increased security along the U.S.-Mexican border grew louder. Congress approved construction of a 700-mile fence along the border, and the government announced the Secure Border Initiative.
• Route 50 Voters Speak Out on the New Congress
  Four voters who live along U.S. Route 50 in California and Nevada talk about their expectations for the upcoming Congress. The economy and immigration are two issues the voters hope the new Congress will address.
• Britain Educates Shoppers on Calculating Bargains
  In Britain, officials are so worried about shoppers' basic math skills that the Department of Education and Skills is offering 200,000 "sales calculators" to shoppers. It's also sending out teams of tutors to help consumers calculate those post-Christmas sales promotions.
• Financial Workers Take Home Big Bonuses
  The surging stock market helped make it a record year for compensation on Wall Street. At the top of the heap was Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein. He took home a bonus valued at more than $53 million.
• 'Chronicle' Reporters Face Jail Over Steroids Leak
  Two San Francisco Chronicle reporters are facing up to 18 months in jail for refusing to testify about who leaked to them secret grand jury testimony from a steroids investigation.
• 'Pan's Labyrinth' Is Realer than Reality Itself
  What Guillermo del Toro has accomplished in Pan's Labyrinth cannot easily be put into words. That's because the Mexican-born director is a master creator of images, atmosphere and mood.
• Gasoline Prices Could Head Up Again
  Gas prices soared above $3 per gallon in 2006, then fell later in the year. Through it all, motorists continued driving. Forecasters say there could be another jump in gas prices next year.
• Somalia's Government Arrives in Mogadishu
  Somalia's official government, backed by Ethiopian troops, has entered the capital Mogadishu after the departure of forces representing the Islamic Courts Union.
• U.S. Economy Solid, But Some Signs Are Worrisome
  Despite rising energy prices and sinking real estate prices, the stock market had a strong year in 2006 and the overall economy turned in a solid performance.
• Russia-Belarus Dispute Threatens Gas Supplies
  Natural gas supplies to Europe might be disrupted this winter because of a dispute between Russia and Belarus. Belarus is threatening to block supplies to Western Europe if it does not continue to receive subsidized supplies for its own use.
• Police Officers Indicted in Post-Katrina Shooting
  Seven police officers in New Orleans have been indicted in the deaths of two men and the wounding of four others in the chaotic days following Hurricane Katrina.
• Political Winds Shift Among Miami's Cuban Exiles
  Politics in Miami have long been affected by the issue of Cuba. Hardliners who wanted Fidel Castro ousted have held sway over Washington's approach to the communist island.

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