Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• All-star movie faces uphill struggle -- because it's about soccer
  A new movie called "The Damned United," opening in the Twin Cities this weekend, has a lot going for it, but the film faces a challenge at the U.S. box office because - it's about soccer.6:45 a.m.
• Weather with Climatologist Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.6:50 a.m.
• Educators fear payment delays may become permanent cuts
  Minnesota school officials say they're worried a delay of more than $1 billion in state education funding, put in place as part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget-balancing plan, could become a permanent cut.7:20 a.m.
• Newscut's Bob Collins' take on wayward flight
  Two pilots have been suspended while Delta Airlines and federal officials investigate what happened during a flight earlier this week from San Diego to Minneapolis.7:40 a.m.
• PolyMet takes next steps for controversial mine
  Plans are moving ahead for a copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, a type of mining new to the state, but in other parts of the world similar mines are polluting rivers and lakes.7:45 a.m.
• Kevin Kling in new show at Guthrie
  The Guthrie Theater's smallest stage will be packed with more than 70 performers this weekend for the North American premiere of Minnesota playwright Kevin Kling's new musical.8:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Scientists: Biofuel Laws May Harm Environment
  Researchers writing in the current issue of Science believe they have found an error in existing biofuel laws that could actually make climate change worse. They say these rules inadvertently encourage deforestation, which in turn contributes to global warming.
• Using Trees To Curb Climate Change Not So Simple
  Forests are fast becoming a great green hope for slowing climate change. Climate planners are keen to create forest carbon banks, places designed to store carbon and keep it out of the atmosphere. But banking carbon in forests turns out to be something of a mystery.
• Democrats Push To End Insurers' Antitrust Exemption
  The relationship between the Obama administration and health insurers has turned ugly since the industry rejected the health care makeover it once supported. Congressional Democrats now want to strip the industry's exemption from federal antitrust laws.
• House Panel Approves Consumer Protection Agency
  Congress moved forward on a major piece of the Obama administration's efforts to overhaul the financial industry. A key House panel approved a bill Thursday to set up a new agency to regulate consumer credit — everything from payday loans to debit cards. The proposal has taken some hits after intense lobbying from banks and other creditors.
• Dalai Lama's Visit To India Certain To Upset China
  One of the world's most intense rivalries is between two Asian giants: China and India. Relations between them are strained at the moment, and one reason involves the Dalai Lama. He plans to visit an area in northeast India next month that China has claimed as its own for many years.
• In Polanski's Case, Time Is On Nobody's Side
  How do you prosecute charges that are more than 30 years old? How do you defend accusations that go back more than three decades? Experts look at the challenges of trying film director Roman Polanski for forcing sex on a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
• Following Apple's Lead, Microsoft Opens Retail Store
  Microsoft opened its first retail store at a mall in Scottsdale, Ariz, Thursday. The opening coincided with the launch of Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 7. Apple has more than 200 retail outlets.
• 'Ong Bak 2': In Ancient Thailand, A Bang-Up Fight
  If business as usual at the theaters is getting you down, how about a hot new martial-arts adventure from Thailand? Film critic Kenneth Turan says Tony Jaa's astonishing physicality is the signal attraction in Ong Bak 2.
• Treasury Unveils Broad Effort To Limit Executive Pay
  As expected, the Treasury Department has announced plans to restrict the cash salaries of executives at financial firms that received the largest government bailouts. In addition, the Federal Reserve said it intends to regulate pay practices at thousands of banks. The government says the goal is to avoid excessive risk-taking.
• 'Monster' Of A Trademark Dispute Settled
  Beer drinkers are a loyal bunch, so when one of their favorite microbrews, Vermonster, got entangled in a copyright dispute they fought back on the Internet. Now the fight between the small Vermont brewery and the maker of Monster energy drinks has been settled.

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