Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• The marathon mix: using a beat to help motivate feet
  For some runners, a recent rule change makes running in the marathon a lot more appealing.6:50 a.m.
• Climatologist sums up wet September weather
  MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley who summarizes the weather in September.6:55 a.m.
• St. Paul prepped for flooding
  St. Paul has buttoned up its downtown riverfront for the second time this year, as Mississippi flood waters are set to crest there in the city weekend. Record rains dating back as early as the spring are to blame.7:20 a.m.
• MPR-Humphrey Poll: Voters say economy is issue No. 1
  The latest MPR News-Humphrey Institute poll shows the tough economy is hitting Minnesotans hard and has changed the way many spend money. The poll shows that 94 percent of likely voters think the nation's economy is in fair or poor condition.7:25 a.m.
• 'Catfish' swims through social media weeds
  This week you can get two different perspectives on social media at the multiplex. The feature film "The Social Network" explores the creation of Facebook. But there's another side shown in a creepier exploration of the on-line phenomenon in the documentary "Catfish."7:40 a.m.
• Two local music CD releases create buzz
  When there are interesting things going on in the local music scene, we like to invite David Campbell into the studio. He's the host of "The Local Show" on our sister station, The Current. This morning, David is here to talk about an upcoming show at First Avenue in Minneapolis that he's excited about. On Saturday night, there will be a CD release party for two local bands that have just finished new recordings: Dark Dark Dark and Roma di Luna.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Fraud Alleged In Afghan Parliamentary Election
  Afghan authorities are examining complaints of irregularities in the recent poll. Whether Afghans will accept this election as better than last year's troubled presidential vote may boil down to whether everyone's complaints are considered equally.
• In Iraq, Getting The Story Gets Tougher For Reporters
  The problems for foreign and Iraqi journalists in Iraq are on the rise. Not only are they being kicked out of the only hotels safe enough for them to live and work, but they face new requirements -- and restrictions -- imposed by the Iraqi government.
• Entrepreneur's Local Partnerships Help Kids Play
  Well over half the kids in this country don't have easy access to a community playground. That bothered Darell Hammond so much, he started an organization to create places for children to play. So far, over nearly 15 years, the group has helped build more than 1,800 playgrounds.
• How True Is 'Social Network?' Does It Matter?
  The new movie The Social Network is about the founding of Facebook. How close is it to the truth? Who can say? It is a film, after all, not a legal document. Reviewer Kenneth Turan says what really matters is that Social Network be convincing in movie terms -- and it very much is that.
• Boston Officials Question Spike In Murder Cases
  Boston is reeling from a shocking quadruple murder that has city and community leaders asking what can be done to stop the violence. Early Tuesday, five people were dragged from their home and shot. Four of them, including a 2-year-old, were killed. A fifth victim is not expected to survive. Neighborhood leaders say the murders looked like summary executions designed to "send a message."
• Few Things Clear About Succession In North Korea
  The world knows one thing for sure as a result of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party conference of the past few days: Supreme leader Kim Jong Il has clearly designated his successor, his son Kim Jong Un. But other things about the succession are much less clear.
• Little Known About North's Korea's Heir Apparent
  North Korea's ailing leader Kim Jong Il elevated his sister and his son Kim Jong Un to new roles in the nation's military and political party. Not much is known about the 20-something Kim, who could become North Korea's second most powerful man. Josh Keating of Foreign Policy magazine talks to Ari Shapiro about the shadowy personalities of North Korea's ruling family, and the media speculation about them.
• Chrysler To Sell Stocks; Lenders To Review Foreclosures
  Chrysler's CEO said the carmaker plans to sell shares to the public again by the second half of next year. Chrysler declared bankruptcy last year, which wiped out the company's previous investors. And the seven biggest U.S. mortgage lenders have been ordered by federal regulators to review their foreclosure process.
• Interior Department Unveils New Drilling Rules
  The Obama administration may be on the verge of lifting its moratorium on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. New rules designed to improve safety and equipment on offshore drilling rigs were announced Thursday. But the Interior Department said it was not yet ready to lift a temporary ban on deep-water drilling.
• Trucking Pays Off With Position For Recent Grad
  After sending out nearly 200 applications since his graduation from college this spring, Christopher Self of Rapid City, S.D., finally landed a job. He used to drive a truck for a living. But field experience and relationships helped him move from the driver's seat to an office chair.

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