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Rundown 4/21

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American Car Industry Sees Signs Of A Better Future

General Motors G6 sedans sit in a long row at a Pontiac dealership.(AP)
General Motors G6 sedans sit in a long row at a Pontiac dealership.(AP)

While Chrysler struggles with a $197 million dollar first quarter earnings loss, General Motors says it will invest $257 million dollars in plants in Kansas and Michigan, and send the government an $8 billion dollar check to pay back a small part of its government bailout. Both car makers are struggling to compete with Toyota's recent zero-percent financing sales push. But a new poll out today shows that for the first time in years, more Americans think American cars are better than those made in Asia. We speak with New York Times business correspondent Micheline Maynard.

Food, Inc. Provides Unsavory Glimpse At Food Industry

Scientists Search For ET's Pollution

Scientists have been searching for alien life for 50 years with its SETI project. To date, they've concentrated on using powerful telescopes and antennae to find radio signals and patterns that might be signs of intelligent life. Now, scientists are looking for something people on Earth can relate to: pollution. Our guest is Dick Carrigan, of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

The Pope Promises Church Action On Abuse

Pope Benedict XVI today promised the Catholic Church will take action to confront the clergy sex abuse scandal. His first public comments on the crisis came days after he met with victims. The BBC's David Willey joins us from Rome to talk about the significance of the pope's message.

Rapper 'Guru' Dies After Battle With Cancer

Guru, the influential rapper from the 80's and 90's, died this week from complications of the white blood cancer, multiple myelomia. Guru was born in Boston, but formed the duo, Gang Starr, after moving to Brooklyn. He was best known for infusing rap with jazz, which helped bridge a generational divide in the music world.

Rita Mae Brown Switches Gears

Author Rita Mae Brown with her cat and muse, Sneaky Pie Brown. (Courtesy Bantam Dell Publishing Group)
Author Rita Mae Brown with her cat and muse, Sneaky Pie Brown. (Courtesy Bantam Dell Publishing Group)

When Rita Mae Brown published her debut novel "Rubyfruit Jungle" in 1973, the lesbian coming of age novel was a surprise best seller. She was also an activist in the women's movement, but took issue with its unwillingness to address class and sexuality issues . Now Rita Mae Brown lives on a Virginia farm and writes the successful "Mrs. Murphy" series of mystery novels with her cat. We speak to her about her eclectic career, her novels and her latest book, "Cat of the Century."

Music From The Show

  • Air, "Mike Mills"
  • Christian McBride, "Brother Mister"
  • Art Blakey, "C.O.R.E."
  • Massive Attack, "Future Proof"
  • Paul Simon, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"
  • Dntel, "Last Songs"
  • Mark O’Connor, “The American Seasons 2-Summer” performed by Mark O’Connor and the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra

This program aired on April 21, 2010.

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