Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Twin Cities native finds the connection between her uncle and Andy Warhol
  Minneapolis native Esther Robinson discovered by chance that her uncle was at the center of one of the most exciting times in American art history. Now she's telling his story in her film, "A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory."4:50 p.m.
• Governor Pawlenty proposes a renewable energy plan
  Gov. Pawlenty wants to make low-interest loans available to small businesses and homeowners, to install renewable energy systems.5:19 p.m.
• Minneapolis seeks help paying Target Center's bills
  Minneapolis' top priority during the upcoming legislative session will be some relief in the form of state aid for the Target Center. Once new, the facility isn't attracting high-profile acts, and it's running in the red.5:24 p.m.
• Training law enforcement to use tasers
  A Fridley, Minn., man died this week after Minnesota State Troopers used a taser on him.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Actress Swinton Moves from Art House to Hollywood
  Scottish actress Tilda Swinton was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of a slowly unraveling lawyer in Michael Clayton. But Swinton spent the early part of her career making art-house films.
• Bernanke Urges Quick Action to Boost Economy
  President Bush and Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke have both endorsed the idea of a stimulus package for the economy. Bernanke said at a House Budget Committee hearing that if Congress is going to act, it should do so quickly and make sure its actions are temporary. The president said he'll lay out his plan Friday.
• McCain Braces for Tough Campaign in S.C.
  Republican presidential candidate John McCain leads the polls in South Carolina ahead of Saturday's primary. He is emphasizing his national security experience and a message of economic "straight talk" — and downplaying negative campaigning efforts against him.
• Thompson Outlines Economic Plans, Defends Style
  Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson says the economy is headed in the wrong direction, with unemployment up to 5 percent nationwide and the consumer credit market tightening. In an NPR interview, he outlines his economic plans and defends his campaign style.
• Candidates Don't Fit Carolinians' Conservative Mold
  The South Carolina GOP primary is just days away, but many Republican voters still haven't made up their minds about whom to support. They find that most of the candidates don't fit in to the traditional conservative mold.
• Candidates Name Their Presidential Role Models
  All Things Considered asked three presidential candidates which past president would serve as a model for them, should they win the White House in November. We hear the answers of Sen. Barack Obama, former Sen. Fred Thompson, and Sen. John McCain.
• Naturalization Applications Spike Ahead of Election
  More than a million legal immigrants applied to naturalize last year, a sharp spike driven by fee increases and — for many — a desire to vote in this year's presidential race. Now the head of Citizenship and Immigration Services tells a congressional panel how he plans to speed up processing.
• Survey: Fewer Abortions, More RU-486 Use in U.S.
  A new study shows that the rate of abortion in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level since the mid-1970s. The survey, conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, also found a rise in the use of the abortion pill mifepristone, also known as RU-486.
• Co-Creator of Frisbee and Hula Hoop Dies at 82
  Richard Knerr co-founded Wham-O, the Pasadena, Calif., toy company responsible for turning the Hula Hoop, Frisbee and many other ingenious creations into iconic toys. Knerr died Monday in southern California at age 82, leaving behind a legacy of fun.
• Letters: Lone Ranger, Tonto and UFOs
  Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listener e-mails, which include comments on Robert Siegel's story on The Lone Ranger. Some listeners enjoyed hearing the familiar William Tell Overture, while others were curious about the origins of the name Tonto. We also got mail about UFO sightings in Texas — from skeptics, believers and scientists.
• Iraqi Refugees Suffer Long-Term Effects of Torture
  According to the U.N., one in five Iraqi refugees has been tortured or has suffered from other violence. They can heal from the physical wounds, but the long-term psychological damage can be profound.
• Climate Change Tests L.A.'s Conservation Success
  A change in climate will herald a shift in how Southern California gets its water. Less snow and more rain in the Sierras will force the region to change its methods. Los Angeles is already ahead of the game.
• Candidates Talk Economy in Foreclosure-Prone Nev.
  When Nevada moved its caucuses up to January, the idea was to prompt debate on Western issues, such as water and energy. Instead, with the state facing the nation's highest home foreclosure rate and higher-than-average unemployment, the economy has been the No. 1 issue.
• Does 'Superior Mirage' Explain Texas UFO Reports?
  Many listeners wrote in about Wade Goodwyn's story on UFO sightings in Texas, and one pointed out that we missed a teaching opportunity about superior mirage phenomenon. Robert Siegel talks with Christine Pulliam, a spokeswoman for the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, to find out more.
• New Images May Shed Light on Mercury's Mysteries
  Scientists are poring over brand new images of the planet Mercury, including panoramas of a side of the planet that has never been seen. The images are being beamed back to Earth from NASA's Messenger spacecraft, which flew past Mercury on Monday.

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