Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• How much 'change' can we expect from the candidates?
  This year, every presidential candidate wants to be an agent of "change," but whoever wins could have a hard time fulfilling that promise. Cecily Sommers studies how societies change and says government rarely leads the way.4:50 p.m.
• Pawlenty warns lawmakers he will veto tax hikes
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty is pledging a vigorous fight against tax increases in the 2008 session, as Minnesota deals with a slowing economy and budget shortfall.5:19 p.m.
• Legislature aims for higher bonding for higher education
  A new Bell Museum, building renovations at Minnesota State University Mankato, and a long list of college campus repairs await word of state bonding money.5:23 p.m.
• House proposes farm bill changes
  The debate over the next farm bill ramped up today when Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson proposed cutting $8 billion from the legislation passed by the House.5:50 p.m.
• Wood pellets heat up forest products industry
  Wood pellet producers are popping up in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin as the price of conventional heating fuels rises.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• After Obama's Sweep, What's Clinton's Next Step?
  After Sen. Barack Obama's decisive wins in Tuesday's Potomac Primaries, how does rival Sen. Hillary Clinton get back in the groove? Jennifer Palmieri, former National Press Secretary for the John Edwards campaign in 2004 and an adviser to the '08 campaign, weighs in.
• Mukasey Aims to Leave Justice 'Unscathed'
  Attorney General Michael Mukasey is in Baghdad, visiting employees of the Justice Department and observing their work on helping the Iraqis keep their justice system operating. On the flight to Baghdad, Mukasey talks about his first three months in office.
• McCain Adviser: Strategy Was Simply Stay In Game
  Sen. John McCain swept the so-called Potomac Primary Tuesday night, winning Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. It's a striking contrast to last summer, when McCain's presidential campaign was on life support. Among the few advisers who stayed — and helped orchestrate the senator's resurgence — is senior adviser Mark McKinnon.
• It's Clemens' Word Against Trainer, Teammate
  Baseball superstar Roger Clemens fought for his reputation Wednesday in dramatic testimony on Capitol Hill. Under oath, he denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs. But his former trainer, Brian McNamee, continued to insist that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone.
• Clemens Drug-Use Hearing Yields Conflicting Stories
  Former Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, face off on Capitol Hill. Clemens has disputed claims in the Mitchell Report on drug use in baseball that he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, while McNamee says he injected the pitcher with those drugs.
• Clintons' InfoUSA Ties Scrutinized
  Political campaigns spend thousands, even millions of dollars to acquire good mailing lists. But last year, Hillary Clinton took the unusual step of renting out some of her lists. The transaction highlights the Clintons' connections to a businessman who now faces questions from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Louisiana Oil Man Saves for Leaner Times
  While oil giants are awash with record profits, there are oil producers at the other end of the dollar. Some mom-and-pop producers operate wells that barely suck up a barrel a day. In rural northwest Louisiana, fourth-generation oil hand Al Chiles has learned how to provide for his family, no matter what the price of crude is.
• Venezuela-U.S. Standoff Brewing Over Exxon Battle
  Hugo Chavez is threatening to cut off oil exports to the United States if Exxon-Mobil moves ahead with plans to freeze Venezuelan assets in various parts of the world. But Venezuela needs the U.S. market as much as the U.S. needs the oil, so the standoff could turn in to a stalemate.
• Tension Mounts in Vital, Violent Karachi
  Karachi is Pakistan's largest and richest city — and it has an appalling reputation. Karachi is witness to frequent sectarian attacks, gun battles and suicide attacks — a touch of Baghdad. Politically, Karachi is one of the few remaining bastions of support for Pakistan's increasingly unpopular president.
• Iraqi Parliament OKs Part of Benchmark Legislation
  After much debate and threats of parliamentary dissolution, the Iraqi parliament has finally passed several laws that were part of the benchmark legislation demanded by the U.S. a year ago, when the military "surge" was ordered to give Iraqi politicians time and space to act.
• Senate OKs Intelligence Policy amid Veto Threat
  The Senate passes an intelligence bill with a provision that effectively bans the torture of detainees. Proponents say it will prevent the CIA from using such methods as simulated drowning, or waterboarding. The president's allies say it could shut down a valuable intelligence program.
• Spielberg Quits China Olympics Gig Over Darfur Ties
  After months of pressure from Darfur activists, Steven Spielberg has withdrawn from his position as artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics. Darfur activists are pressuring China because of the Chinese government's strong ties to Khartoum. Sudan is a key oil supplier for China.
• Uno the Beagle's Groundbreaking Westminster Win
  Tuesday night, for the first time ever, a beagle won "Best in Show" at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Uno, a 15-inch beagle, brought the crowd to its feet at the sold-out show at Madison Square Garden.
• 'My Mistress's Sparrow' Gives Love a Bad Name
  Writer Jeffrey Eugenides, who edited the new anthology, My Mistress's Sparrow Is Dead, takes an unorthodox look at love. He explains how the stories in this collection revolve around voyeuristic longing or disenchanted entanglement.
• Gates Misses Pentagon Testimony with Broken Bone
  Defense Secretary Robert Gates canceled his planned testimony on Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning after slipping on the ice overnight and fracturing his shoulder. He returned to work later in the day with his arm in a sling.

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