Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Teaching the art of conducting an orchestra
  As part of an initiative to get local young professionals interested in classical music, the Minnesota Orchestra invited about 60 young professionals to a brief seminar on what an orchestra conductor does. Then some of the participants got a chance to try it for themselves. Minnesota Public Radio's Curtis Gilbert condensed the hour-long program into three minutes. The orchestra's assistant conductor Sarah Hicks led the session.6:55 a.m.
• Minneapolis streets proof of budget strain
  This week, the Minneapolis city council will approve a new budget. The amended budget accounts for gaps left by a cut in state aid.7:20 a.m.
• Senate hearing explores Minneapolis-Somalia connection
  A Minneapolis mosque is again denying allegations it's responsible for a dozen or more young Somali men leaving the U.S. to join a terrorist group in East Africa. It was one of two mosques named at a U.S. Senate committee hearing Wednesday investigating Islamic extremist recruitment in America.7:25 a.m.
• Art Hounds: Week of March 12
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside our own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on this weekend.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• In L.A., Staying Chic Without A Paycheck
  Saving money these days is not just a necessity but a virtue, even for some Los Angeles trendsetters. Since she lost her job recently, Gigi Hooghkirk has been relying on giveaways to maintain her fashionable lifestyle.
• Bored? Try Doodling To Keep The Brain On Task
  "Yes, I am paying attention!" Everyone from presidents to rock stars to students has at some point doodled when the mind wanders. But a new study says doodles can actually help the brain avoid distraction.
• A Temperature Hike Can Trigger Migraines
  Researchers know that migraine headaches can be triggered by factors like a lack of sleep, certain foods or stress. A new study shows that weather can also trigger severe headaches, with some people suffering migraines when the temperature rises.
• Despite Ban, Protests Begin In Pakistan
  A protest march is beginning throughout Pakistan and President Asif Ali Zardari is intent on stopping it. The march was originally planned by Pakistani lawyers demanding an independent judiciary and the reinstatement of the deposed supreme court chief justice. But in recent weeks it has been overtaken by the clash between Zardari and his main political rival.
• Obama Team Pushes To Redefine Afghanistan Goals
  President Obama has promised to lay out a new strategy for the nearly 40,000 U.S. troops already in Afghanistan and the 17,000 more on the way. Officials in his administration are trying to redefine what a "win" in the country looks like.
• FBI Believes Missing Men Joined Somali Terrorists
  Young Somali-Americans in Minneapolis have been vanishing over the past year and a half. It's been suspected that the young men have been heading to Somalia. And for the first time, the FBI hinted Wednesday that that was the case. The FBI believes terrorist recruiters are operating in Minnesota and helping young men make their way to the East African nation.
• Companies Believe In Oil Shale's Future
  There's a saying in the Rocky Mountain West: Oil shale has a promising future — and it always will. The Obama Administration has reversed a Bush administration policy of allowing large leases on public lands for oil shale research and development. That made environmentalists happy, but oil companies are not giving up on shale just yet.
• Roche To Take Over Genentech In $47 Billion Deal
  In what's being described as the largest takeover in Swiss corporate history, Roche says it has agreed to buy the remaining shares of Genentech for $46.8 billion. Genentech's board gave its approval only after Roche raised its offer to $95 a share.
• Ford's Modified UAW Pact Brings Parity
  Ford Motor Company says new modifications to its contract with the United Auto Workers union are bringing the company in line with foreign-based automakers doing business in the U.S. The changes eliminate cost-of-living increases and performance bonuses of three percent of base earnings this year and next.
• Economy Shakes Up 'Forbes' Billionaires List
  The richest people in the world are a lot poorer this year. Forbes magazine's annual list of the world's top billionaires has 332 fewer names this time around. Still, all those empty spots made room for 38 new billionaires to make the rankings.

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