Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Novel on English village life amuses while spearing prejudice
  After struggling for a while to write a gritty up-to-the-moment novel, Helen Simonson decided to stop beating herself up and write something for herself. Now the resulting book "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" is a New York Times bestseller.4:44 p.m.
• MnSCU board makes 'risky choice' with new chancellor
  Trustees of the MnSCU system have hired a new chancellor they hope will bring innovations to the 32-school system. The board chose Steven Rosenstone over another candidate with more experience running college and university systems. Some board members say that's a risk they're willing to take.5:20 p.m.
• Gov't studies use of genetically modified crops in wildlife refuges
  National wildlife refuges have long used farming as a management tool, and refuge managers say using Roundup Ready crops is often the best way to restore native prairie and grassland.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Coroners Don't Need Degrees To Determine Death
  Understanding the differences between coroners, medical examiners and forensic pathologist provides clues to the rising number of autopsy mistakes across the U.S.
• Egypt's Army Appeals For Calm As Street Fights Erupt
  On the ninth day of unrest in Egypt, the army appealed for calm. In a statement, a military spokesman asked Egyptians to resume normal life. But demonstrators seeking President Hosni Mubarak's ouster faced off with Mubarak supporters, street fights erupted and hundreds were wounded.
• Brotherhood Spokesman Discusses Egypt's Future
  The Muslim Brotherhood has refused to talk with anyone from the Mubarak regime. A spokesman for the group, Essam Al-Aryan, speaks to host Robert Siegel.
• Expert On Egypt Discusses Chaos In Cairo
  Joshua Stacher, assistant political science professor at Kent State University, speaks to host Michele Norris about the Egyptian protests and his experience at the Egypt experts meeting at the White House this week.
• Midwest Snowstorm Rolls Through East
  The snowstorm that buffeted the nation's midsection Tuesday rolled through the East on Wednesday, closing schools, canceling flights and keeping many people at home. In some areas, it brought a layer of ice that is bringing down roofs and power lines.
• Storm Strands Motorists, Workers At I-70 Truck Stop
  Interstate 70, through central and eastern Missouri, was closed down for a while because of snow and ice. The closure stranded many motorists and workers along the highway. Host Michele Norris speaks to Terri Brackney and Greg Stratton, who work at the Travel Plaza Truck Stop in Warrenton, Mo., and have been stranded there since Monday.
• Letters: Maurice Sendak
  Many listeners were moved to write in after our interview with author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Hosts Robert Siegel and Michele Norris read e-mails from our listeners.
• Green Bay Coach's Game Plan Began In Kansas
  Mike McCarthy guided the Green Bay Packers in their transition from quarterback Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. In college at Baker University — a small college in Baldwin City, Kan. — McCarthy was a tight end. But it was there where he learned a lot about football and much about himself as he entered the coaching profession. Now McCarthy has the Packers in the Super Bowl for the first time since the end of the Brett Favre era in Green Bay.
• In Wake Of Madoff Suit, Mets Seek Partner
  The owners of the New York Mets are in the market for a partner — with cash. That's evidently because the principal owner of the team, Fred Wilpon, and his brother-in-law Saul Katz are being sued because of their involvement with Bernard Madoff's massive fraud of investors. Sportswriter Matthew Futterman of the Wall Street Journal speaks to host Robert Siegel about Wilpon and his financial dealings with Madoff.
• Paralyzing Blizzard Lives Up To The Hype
  Wednesday was a snow day for tens of millions of people from the Great Plains to the Northeast. A colossal winter storm has left a thick coating of ice and deep, deep snow from Texas to Maine, closing roads, highways and airports; stranding travelers across the country; and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power.

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