Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Troubled St. Paul crime lab problems even worse than first thought, probe reveals
  Two independent consultants hired to review the St. Paul Police crime lab found major errors in almost every area of the lab's work, including the fingerprint and crime scene evidence processing that has continued after the lab's drug testing was stopped in July.3:22 p.m.
• Art Hounds
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside their own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on in local arts.4:48 p.m.
• Mayo expansion bill eases past 1st Capitol hurdle
  A bill that would finance redevelopment around the Mayo Clinic's proposed expansion in Rochester is starting to move through the Legislature.4:53 p.m.
• Troubled St. Paul crime lab problems even worse than first thought, probe reveals
  Two independent consultants hired to review the St. Paul Police crime lab found major errors in almost every area of the lab's work, including the fingerprint and crime scene evidence processing that has continued after the lab's drug testing was stopped in July.5:17 p.m.
• St. Thomas' female president reflects trends in Catholic education
  University of St. Thomas trustees have broken with tradition and named as woman as president-elect. Every previous president in the 128-year history of the school has been a Catholic priest.5:22 p.m.
• Mary Jo Copeland: Presidential award a 'humble honor'
  Mary Jo Copeland, founder and director of Sharing and Caring Hands, says she is humbled by her choice as a recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the nation's highest civilian honors. Copeland will receive the award at the White House tomorrow. She spoke with MPR's Tom Crann about her charitable work providing meals and shelter to thousands of people in the Twin Cities every year since 1985.5:43 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Merger Of American Airlines and US Airways Will Create World's Largest Carrier
  The boards of US Airways Group and AMR have approved the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. The resulting company will become the world's largest airline. American is in bankruptcy, so its creditors will own a big chunk of the new company and US Airways shareholders will own the rest.
• Airline Mega-Mergers: 'Good, Bad And Ugly'
  The proposed marriage of American Airlines and US Airways is likely the last in a series of industry mega-mergers. But history suggests combining two big carriers isn't easy. Meshing cultures and dealing with pilot seniority add to the complexity of combining airlines, analysts say.
• Taxpayers Steaming Over Florida Nuclear Plant's Shuttering
  The Crystal River nuclear plant was a driver of commercial life in rural Citrus County, Fla. The power company's decision to close the troubled plant will leave taxpayers and ratepayers on the hook for up to several billion dollars and has residents worried about their region's future.
• 'Blade Runner' Athlete Charged With Murder Of Girlfriend
  Olympic "Blade Runner" sensation Oscar Pistorius was arrested after his girlfriend, a budding model, was shot dead at his house on Thursday.
• Traces Of Anxiety Drugs May Make Fish Act Funny
  Small amounts of the drugs that people take end up in wastewater and then in streams and rivers. It's usually not enough to harm the health of humans who swim in or drink the water. But there is growing evidence that pharmaceuticals in wastewater may affect wildlife.
• State Of The Union Boosts Youngstown's Story Of Economic Turnaround
  In his State of Union address this week, President Obama pointed to a successful manufacturing innovation institute in Youngstown, Ohio, as a model for other programs.
• Rand Paul: 'Big Government's Not A Friend To Those Who Are Trying To Get Ahead'
  Following President Obama's State of the Union there was the customary response from the Republican Party, and for the second year there was another response from the Tea Party. Sen. Rand Paul delivered that response and joins Robert Siegel to talk about his differences with the Republican establishment.
• 'Florida Man' On Twitter Collects Real Headlines About World's Worst Superhero
  Robert Siegel has more on the Twitter account @_FloridaMan. Each tweet quotes a real-life headline about someone from the Sunshine State who has strayed from the straight and narrow.
• With Brawls And Calls, Love Is In The Air For Elephant Seals
  It's the peak of the elephant seal mating season on the California coast. That means the SUV-sized, 4,000-pound males duke it out for a chance to mate.
• Couple Ties The Knot With Their Own Afro-Asian Rice Treat
  Bryant Terry and Jidan Koon's relationship evolved over cooking. So much so that when they got engaged, they created a special dish that united their Asian-American and African-American backgrounds: Afro-Asian jung — sticky rice packets tied up with string.

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