Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Award winning director meets a new 'Billy the Kid'
  "Billy the Kid" is a documentary that follows a few days in the life of Billy Price. He's a 15 year old boy living in a small town in Maine. He's bright and he's mouthy. But he's one of those kids who makes people nervous. He's got a troubled past, and he has what are politely known as 'behavioral' issues. Director Jennifer Venditti is in Minneapolis to introduce the film.4:50 p.m.
• Missouri's new bridge repair plan getting noticed in Minnesota
  Minnesota isn't the only state slated to have hundreds of bridges repaired. Missouri's plan has drawn notice for its new approach.5:20 p.m.
• A preview of the 2008 Legislative Session
  Capitol Reporter Tom Scheck tells host Tom Crann that legislative leaders are focusing the 2008 session on the economy. A transportation bill, a bonding bill, and a constitutional amendment for the arts and outdoors will all be on the agenda.5:24 p.m.
• Blackberry outage
  "Future Tense" host Jon Gordon discusses the major Blackberry service outage going on today. He says mobile Internet service has been disrupted, but voice services are working fine. It's a big problem for Blackberry maker Research In Motion.5:50 p.m.
• Saving the house from the bank
  One of the nation's largest mortgage lenders is partnering with an activist group in an effort to stem the tide of mortgage foreclosures sweeping the nation.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Little Tramp: Frequently Down, Never Out
  France called him Charlot, Ecuador called him Carlitos — and audiences the world over knew him as "the Little Tramp." For NPR's ongoing In Character series, Bob Mondello pays homage to the ultimate silent-movie clown.
• With Climate Swing, a Culture Bloomed in Americas
  Along the coast of Peru, a mysterious civilization sprang up about 5,000 years ago. A team of archaeologists believe a climate change led to the rise of this civilization of mound builders, which eventually spread across South America.
• Home Renovator Accused of Scamming $18 Million
  Prosecutors say a mortgage fraud ring in Akron, Ohio, scammed mortgage companies and local investors out of more than $18 million. With many lenders eager to loan money to almost anybody, this may be one of many small organized crime rings that have sprung up around the country.
• Virginia Democrats Eager for Primary, Election
  With the delegate race tightening between Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Virginia voters will be in the spotlight as they head to the primaries Tuesday. But no matter who wins, Democrats say the enthusiasm generated by the primary should help their party in this November's election.
• Superdelegates May Break Democrats' Dead Heat
  The "magic number" of delegates needed to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination is 2,025. But neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama is close to that number. If that continues, the party's 796 superdelegates may decide the Democratic race.
• Obama, Clinton Court Young Democrat's Favor
  At 28, Crystal Strait is one of the youngest superdelegates. Representing the Young Democrats of America on the Democratic National Committee, Strait has not pledged to support a candidate yet, and the campaigns are pulling out the big guns in hopes of convincing her.
• Pentagon Levels Capital Charges at Detainees
  The Pentagon says it has charged six detainees at Guantanamo Bay with murder in connection with the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The men will become the first Guantanamo prisoners to face trial. And if they're convicted, they could receive the death penalty. The six include Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the alleged mastermind.
• Iraq, U.S. Force Put Anti-Insurgent Focus on Mosul
  The northern Iraqi city of Mosul is the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the country now. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said Mosul is where al-Qaida in Iraq is making its last stand. U.S. commanders don't see it that way, but there is no doubting the heavy insurgent presence in the city.
• Arguing the Upside of Being Down
  Eric G. Wilson, author of Against Happiness, has embraced his inner gloom and wishes more people would do the same. He talks to Melissa Block about why the world needs melancholy and the link between sadness and artistic creation.
• Actor Roy Scheider Dies
  Best known for facing down a man-eating shark in Jaws, Roy Scheider had in recent years struggled with blood cancer; he died from related complications. Jaws catapulted him to stardom in 1975, but The French Connection was his big break.

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