Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Zumbro Falls residents allowed back in, wait for disaster declaration
  Among the hardest hit towns by recent flooding are Zumbro Falls and Hammond and until today, residents have only been allowed to enter the mud-covered town to retrieve essentials.7:20 a.m.
• U of M bee researcher gets MacArthur 'genius grant'
  Marla Spivak, a University of Minnesota entomologist known for her work on the biology of honey bees, is among 23 recipients of this year's MacArthur Foundation "genius grants."7:25 a.m.
• Gov candidates face hard choices on health, human services programs
  The three major-party candidates for governor are proposing dramatically different plans for the health care system, plans that could cost Minnesotans billions and literally involve life and death decisions.7:35 a.m.
• Peace found in granite stones
  Do you have a long, stressful commute to work or school? Maybe your commute has you thinking about changing your job, or your career? Well, Minnesota Public Radio essayist Peter Smith ran into a guy up north who finds peace and happiness on the job every day -- working with one billion year old pieces of granite stone.7:45 a.m.
• Looking back on St. Paul's Ford plant
  Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer talked with history professor Annette Atkins about the St. Paul Ford plant and its place in St. Paul history.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• At Oil Spill Hearing, Calls For New Response Plan
  Scientists and government officials summoned to the presidential commission investigating the Deepwater Horizon oil spill said Monday that the oil industry and responders were unprepared for such a catastrophic event and the nation needs a better plan to deal with big spills.
• La. Looks To New Plan To Restore Fragile Coast
  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is set to unveil the Obama's administration plans to restore the Gulf Coast and build it back better than it was before. Leaders in Louisiana, which is losing the equivalent of a football field of wetland every 50 minutes, say they need the federal government's help -- now.
• Pakistan's Troubles Stem From Misunderstood Past
  Ayesha Jalal, a professor at Tufts University, just finished a semester teaching history at a leading university in Lahore, Pakistan. Jalal was the author of a noted book that reinterpreted Pakistan's birth. She tells Steve Inskeep that Pakistan was founded to protect the political interests of Muslims on the Indian subcontinent -- and not necessarily as an explicitly Islamic state or a theocracy. Pakistani governments have deliberately confused this issue for many years, encouraging many of the religious conflicts the country faces today.
• Zucker Out, Burke In As Comcast Deal Takes Shape
  When complete, the Comcast-NBC Universal merger, would give the nation's largest cable operator direct access to all the entertainment content produced by NBC Universal. Federal regualtors must still approve the merger. Longtime NBC executive Jeff Zucker is out and Comcast's Steve Burke is in as the CEO designate of NBC Universal.
• Studying Storms: NASA Looks For Hurricane's Secrets
  When Hurricane Karl slammed into Mexico earlier this month, dozens of scientists had a ringside seat. Aboard a NASA research plane, they surveyed the storm and collected data to better understand why some storms weaken while others suddenly grow stronger.
• Russia's President Fires Iconic Moscow Mayor
  Moscow's mayor of 18 years has been fired by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Yury Luzhkov garnered criticism in July when repairs to the main highway leading to Moscow's international airport created massive traffic jams. Reporter Peter Van Dyk talks to Ari Shapiro about the changes.
• Research In Motion Unveils iPad Competitor
  The company that makes the BlackBerry used to dominate the smartphone market. Then Apple introduced the iPhone. Now, BlackBerry's maker, Research in Motion, is coming out with a tablet computer that takes on Apple's iPad. It's called the PlayBook.
• Regulators Close Banks In Florida, Washington
  In the two years since Washington Mutual became the biggest bank failure in history, another 279 banks have collapsed. Just last Friday, another two went down. Failures are expected to "persist for some time," according to a report issued by Standard & Poor's.
• No-Frills Southwest To Buy Competitor AirTran
  Southwest Airlines is planning to buy discount rival AirTran for $1.4 billion. The move will put Southwest into dozens of new cities, and will ramp up pressure on the big carriers.
• NFL Woos Female Shoppers With Product Variety
  The NFL is taking a more sophisticated approach to women. The league began a $10 million marketing campaign Monday. Merchandise is a big part of the appeal.

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