Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Snow seeding to restore native plants to the prairie
  A new restoration project that uses snow seeding techniques could help restore native plants to the southeastern Minnesota prairie.3:20 p.m.
• Minnesotans join rush to cash in gold jewelry
  The bull market for gold has spawned a wave of selling as consumers turn unwanted gold necklaces, rings and other jewelry into cash.3:49 p.m.
• Mpls. musician 'Mad Ripple' talks with MPR's Chris Roberts
  As a music writer and songwriter, Jim Walsh always looks for the meaning of life in a three minute pop song.4:50 p.m.
• Snow seeding to restore native plants to the prairie
  A new restoration project that uses snow seeding techniques could help restore native plants to the southeastern Minnesota prairie.5:19 p.m.
• House explosion brings a closer look at drilling method
  Utility crews were back on the scene of an Edina house explosion Wednesday, trying to determine what caused Tuesday's blast. It's the second explosion this winter related to underground drilling, now a common excavation method.5:49 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• McCain Faces Election Challenger From The Right
  John McCain's maverick moves of the past have ticked off some of his own conservative constituents. Enter congressman turned radio talk show host J.D. Hayworth, who appeals to the Tea Party crowd. This election, McCain might have some serious competition.
• Dutch Political Uncertainty Boosts Far-Right Party
  The Dutch coalition government collapsed last weekend over the country's commitment to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. A general election is scheduled for June, but politics in the Netherlands is in turmoil, and the far-right Freedom Party could be the big winner.
• Pediatrician Escaped Past Abuse Allegations
  Dr. Earl Bradley is accused of sexually abusing 103 children, some as young as 3 months old. The state now has the responsibility of finding out who might have known about the doctor's alleged actions before the case was brought to light. Court documents reveal that there had been warnings about Bradley going back a decade.
• Student Sues Over Alleged Webcam Spying
  A high school student is suing a suburban Philadelphia school district for allegedly spying on him outside of school via the webcam of a school-issued laptop. The allegation has infuriated many parents and spurred a criminal investigation by the FBI.
• 'Historic Mistake' Costs Dutch Skater Olympic Gold
  Dutch skating star Sven Kramer was well on his way to winning a gold medal in the men's 10,000-meter speedskating event Tuesday night when his coach shouted at him to switch lanes. He did. Big mistake.
• Mother, Son Create A New Life For That Old Sweater
  Gayane Avanian and her son Haik have started a small company called Reknit that takes old, out-of-fashion sweaters and turns them into scarves, hats and gloves for $30. The Avanians tell NPR's Melissa Block they had to limit their orders to the first 30 they received for February.
• Democrats Chide Insurer For Planned Rate Hikes
  Officials from Anthem Blue Cross of California explained the company's decision to increase health care premiums to a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee. The hearing takes place a day before President Obama hosts a bipartisan summit aimed at reviving the long-stalled health care bills.
• Effect Of Health Bill On Insurance Premiums
  California health insurer Anthem Blue Cross' plans to raise premiums by as much as 39 percent in some markets has become a rallying cry for the Obama administration as it aims to increase public support for health overhaul. President Obama's health bill could affect the future rate increases of Anthem and other insurers.
• Bernanke Backs Low Interest Rates
  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Wednesday the Fed needs to keep interest rates low to aid the economy "for an extended period." He used his semi-annual report to Congress to emphasize his concerns about both unemployment and the budget deficit.
• Toyota Woes Highlight Lobbyists, Lawmakers Link
  More than 40 percent of the members of Congress investigating Toyota have received campaign donations from the company, according to research by The Washington Post. NPR Senior News Analyst Dan Schorr says it's another example of the problematic relationship between corporate lobbyists and elected representatives.

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