Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• King's values in the classroom explored
  The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was remembered and celebrated in a variety of ways. But how do his ideals effect our educational system? How do they actually play out in the classroom setting? Tom Crann talked with Julie Landesman, an educator and co-author of "White Teacher, Diverse Classrooms."4:44 p.m.
• Pawlenty named co-chair of McCain committee
  It's another signal that Pawlenty's national profile is increasing, and does nothing to dispel speculation about his potential as a vice-presidential pick.5:19 p.m.
• Marchers rally for single-payer health care
  Members of the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition made their pitch for a single-payer system Monday as part of this year's annual Martin Luther King Day march in St. Paul.5:23 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Courts Reporter Looks Back on Memorable Trials
  Linda Deutsch has had a front row seat to the most-notorious courtroom trials in the last 40 years. The Associated Press reporter covered the trials of Sirhan Sirhan, Charles Manson, Angela Davis, O.J. Simpson, the police who were videotaped beating Rodney King, and many more.
• Domestic Violence in the Old and New Worlds
  An Ethiopian-born physician works to prevent domestic violence among refugee and immigrant women in Boston. If you want to help these women escape abusive relationships, she says, you need to understand the old country's ways, as well as the new.
• Memories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  The Atlanta History Center's exhibit "I Have a Dream: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection," opened today. The exhibit features 600 artifacts purchased at auction from Sotheby's last year, including items that show the personal side of the American icon.
• Tennessee Continues to Enforce 'Crack Tax'
  For a second consecutive year, Tennessee has collected more than $1.5 million in revenue from its so-called "crack tax." The state has been enforcing a tax on illegal substances that drug dealers can report without fear of prosecution. But once arrested, dealers must prove they've paid the tax or face fines or property seizure.
• Kurdistan Caught in Middle of Iran-U.S. Tensions
  Last week, President Bush vowed to crack down on Iran, which he accused of giving weapons and support to Iraqi militants. As he made the threat on TV, U.S. forces captured five Iranians in a liaison office in the Kurdish-controlled city of Erbil, Iraq. The move infuriated the Kurds, who have traditionally been America's closest allies in Iraq.
• Diplomat Tapped to Head Iraq Reconstruction
  As part of its new strategy for Iraq, the White House is embracing people and policies it once ignored. Last week, one diplomat retapped was Timothy Carney, who resigned after two months — angry and outspoken about mismanagement in Iraq. Carney will now manage the reconstruction in Iraq.
• Saddam's Half-Brother Decapitated During Hanging
  Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Barzan Tikriti, was hanged Monday, along with former Revolutionary Court judge Awad Bandar. The hangman's noose severed Tikriti's head. Iraqi officials called the decapitation — which is prompting more outrage in the Arab world — an act of God.
• Congress Can't Stop Troop Increase, Bush Says
  Democrats and some Republicans in Congress say they will try to block President Bush from sending additional troops to Iraq. Their options range from a nonbinding resolution to a funding cutoff. But the president says he will act, regardless of what Congress does.
• Rice Plans Mideast Summit in Coming Weeks
  Traveling in Egypt, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice she will bring the Israeli and Palestinian leaders together in the coming weeks for a summit dedicated to exploring ideas for an eventual Palestinian state. Rice has been meeting with U.S. allies in the Mideast for the past three days to shore up support for the fragile Iraqi government.
• Media Played Role in '70s Mideast Peace Process
  Walter Cronkite recalls his own role in what turned out to be a breakthrough in the Middle East. In 1977, when Cronkite was anchor of the CBS Evening News, he helped bring together Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachin Begin, in meetings that laid the groundwork for the 1978 Camp David agreements.
• Ice Storm Leaves 30 Dead in Lower Midwest
  In the lower Midwest, at least 30 people have died and hundreds of thousands are without power as the result of an ice storm. The span of damage arcs from Texas through Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa to Illinois.
• Vocal Impressions: Hearing Voices, Round Two
  Commentator Brian McConnachie issues a second "Vocal Impressions" challenge to listeners. How would you describe the voices of actor Jack Nicholson, singer Norah Jones and singer, actor and musician Cliff Edwards?
• Wind Chime Puts Arkansas Town in Guiness Records
  The small town of Eureka Springs, Ark., has long been a haven for artists. Now one of those artists has given the town a new claim to fame: It has the largest wind chime as certified by the Guinness Book of Records. Reporter Jacqueline Froelich of member station KUAF reports.
• Kurds Often Used as Pawns in Power Struggles
  NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that the Kurds of Iraq have a long history of being used as pawns in regional power struggles. Now, they are finding themselves in the middle of a contest between the United States and Iran for dominance in the Middle East.
• Rural Ethiopia Ignores Law Against Child Brides
  Ethiopia's government is backing a series of new family-planning policies, including a ban on marrying girls before they're 18. In the northern highland village of Yinsa, some women are indifferent to the change. But a younger generation finds the country's increasing educational opportunities more appealing than early marriage.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories

Become a Sponsor