Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Texan film director travels to Minnesota looking for votes
  It's not just the presidential contenders who are coming to Minnesota looking for votes. Texas director Chris Eska is in Minneapolis to show his film "August Evening" to local moviemakers. Eska hopes the screening will bring in votes for his film which is nominated in two categories in this year's Independent Spirit Awards.4:50 p.m.
• Auditor concerned about smaller school transport vehicles
  A new Legislative Auditor's report says kids are about eight times safer on a Minnesota school bus than they are in a car. But the report points out some safety concerns as well.5:20 p.m.
• Hotels provide refuge to weather beaten drivers
  White-out conditions are forcing motorists off the roads, as Interstate highways 35 and 90 close. MPR's Tom Crann talks to Tanya Navarro, Owner and General Manager of the Albert Lea Inn. Navarro says ambulances are delivering drivers right up to her lobby.5:51 p.m.
• Twins reportedly trading ace to Mets
  The Minnesota Twins have reportedly reached a tentative agreement to trade two-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher Johan Santana to the New York Mets. MPR's Tom Crann talks to Star Tribune regional editor and baseball blogger Howard Sinker.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• What Would Bloomberg's Platform Look Like?
  Advisers say New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg may make an independent run for president. It's hard to guess what issues would define his candidacy — considering he's been a Democrat, a Republican and now an independent.
• Illustrated Book Chronicles Negro League Pioneers
  The vivid, detailed and realistic pictures in a new book for children transport readers to the world of baseball's Negro Leagues. Award-winning artist Kadir Nelson wrote and illustrated the book, We Are the Ship.
• Unwelcome Spirits Haunt 'The Bedlam in Goliath'
  When The Mars Volta purchased a ouija board in a Jerusalem curio shop and began to use it, the band had no idea how much it would affect its recording. Listening to The Bedlam in Goliath, the paranormal talk might not seem like such a publicity stunt.
• Politician's Slaying Stokes Violence in Kenya
  The killing of an opposition politician added new fuel to the violence in Kenya on Tuesday as former United Nations chief Kofi Annan renewed efforts to mediate an end to the monthlong crisis. Government helicopters fired on mobs rioting in the Rift Valley, and clashes broke out in and around Nairobi.
• Iraqi Women Face Greater Danger, Fewer Rights
  Most everyone in Iraq has suffered because of violence, but the lives of women have been, perhaps, affected the most. Women's rights groups report that in the past six months, more than 100 women have been killed in the city of Basra for wearing make-up or what is deemed Western clothing.
• Text-Message Scandal Rocks Detroit Mayor's Office
  The office of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is reeling following publication of a series of e-mails between him and his chief of staff, Christine Beatty, suggesting that they lied under oath last year in denying they were having an affair. Their testimony was part of a lawsuit by police officers who lost their jobs after investigating Kilpatrick.
• Immigrants Expected to Boost U.S. Housing Market
  Assuming Congress doesn't impose further restrictions, immigrants — both legal and illegal — and their native-born children are expected to provide the bulk of coming years' growth in home-buying demand, nudging the market back up and aiding the broader economy.
• Florida Polls Report High Turnout, Mostly GOP Votes
  Florida voters get their moment in the national spotlight Tuesday, at least on the Republican side of the presidential contest. Democrats are voting, too, but there's some dispute over how much attention should be paid to their contest. Voters themselves certainly have been paying attention to the presidential race.
• Calif. Independents Barred from GOP Primary
  More than half the states with presidential races on Feb. 5 allow independent voters to participate. In California, however, independents can vote in the Democratic primary, but not in the Republican contest. Some Republicans think their party is making a mistake.
• President Truman's Lone Child, Margaret, Dies at 83
  Margaret Truman, the only child of former President Harry S. Truman, has died at the age of 83. Truman was a college student when her father became president. She later became a concert singer, actress, radio and TV personality and mystery writer.

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