Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Ethanol a big factor, among several, driving up food prices
  Higher grain prices have driven up the cost of everything from chicken nuggets to bagels to lasagna. Demand for corn to feed the growing ethanol industry has received much of the blame for the rising food costs, but the corn-based fuel is not the only culprit.4:50 p.m.
• 'The Counterfeiters' moral dilemma
  "The Counterfeiters," which won this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language film, tells the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history. During World War II, Nazis formed a counterfeiting unit in a concentration camp that was staffed entirely by Jews, working under threat of death.4:54 p.m.
• House passes $1B bond plan after gorilla fight
  The Minnesota House passed a nearly $1 billion bonding bill Thursday. Critics say it's too expensive and worked to strip some projects from the bill, including money for gorillas at the Como Zoo.5:20 p.m.
• Researcher says his study on 3M workers' health is inconclusive
  The lead investigator on a new study of 3M workers exposed to the perfluorochemical PFOA urges caution in interpreting its results.5:24 p.m.
• Ramstad pushes for mental health parity
  Supporters of mental health parity in Congress are preparing to reconcile two different versions of legislation that would require insurers to cover mental health treatment the same way they cover physical ailments.5:50 p.m.
• Minnesota manfacturers put out the help wanted sign for skilled workers
  While one might think the slumping economy would be the top worry for manufacturers in Minnesota right now, many companies say their biggest concern is the lack of skilled workers available to make their products.5:55 p.m.
• Working parents already lining up summer camp schedule
  It's not even spring, but parents and kids are already filling out applications for summer camp. For working parents, it can be tough to fill up a whole summer with activities. And a slumping economy only makes it harder.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• 'Reserve' Characters Inspired by Fitzgerald
  Alan Cheuse reviews Russell Banks' latest novel, The Reserve, which reimagines upper-class life in the Adirondack wilderness of the 1930s. Cheuse says the book's characters seem to have been inspired by the work of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• Documents Suggest Ties Between Chavez, Rebels
  Police in Colombia gave reporters documents downloaded from a laptop seized from a rebel camp in Ecuador. The documents, if authentic, indicate Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has been in contact with the leftist Colombian insurgents for a decade. The laptops also contain documents suggesting the insurgents had been in contact with European and U.S. officials.
• CEO Ken Stern Leaving NPR
  NPR's chief executive officer, Ken Stern, is leaving by "mutual agreement." Stern, who has served at NPR for 10 years, will be replaced on an interim basis by the chairman of the board of directors.
• Letters: Howard Dean, Anne Rice, Gas Usage
  Robert Siegel and Melissa Block read listener responses to the program. Many criticized what they heard in our interview with Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. We also hear reaction to a review of Anne Rice's latest book and to our report on some Americans using less gas.
• Obama Ahead in Texas Caucuses
  More than 1 million Texas Democrats showed up at party caucuses that followed the primary Tuesday. The results continue to trickle in, with the latest tally showing a solid win by Sen. Barack Obama. He could end up winning more delegates in Texas than New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
• Contaminant Suspected in Heparin Deaths
  The FDA is working to identify a contaminant in batches of the popular blood-thinner, Heparin, which may be associated with 19 deaths. Heparin is used in dialysis and heart procedures to stave off blood clots. Anna Wilde Mathews, who covers the FDA for The Wall Street Journal, talks with Melissa Block.
• Rezko Corruption Trial Gets Under Way
  Jurors hear opening statements in the trial of indicted political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who is accused of a slew of corruption charges. He's received national attention because of his relationship with Senator Barack Obama.
• Army: Depression Increases After Multiple Tours
  The Army released its annual mental health survey Thursday and found that one in five soldiers deployed to Iraq suffer from some mental health problem. For those on second and third deployments, about a third suffer from mental health problems. The Army medical command is now recommending well times to match time deployed — an initiative that's opposed by the Bush administration.
• At Least Eight Killed in Attack at Jerusalem School
  At least eight students are killed and more than 20 wounded in an attack on a Jewish religious school in Jerusalem on Thursday. Police said a gunman entered the school and opened fire. It's the first attack in Jerusalem in several years.
• Child's 'One Hen' Lays Microlending Success
  A new children's book, One Hen, tells the story of what happens when a young boy in Ghana borrows a few coins from his village's collective fund to buy a single hen. The book is based on the story of a real man, Kwabena Darko.
• Democratic Rivals Accuse Media of Bias
  The Clinton campaign has accused the media of Obama-bias for weeks. Then, Saturday Night Live ran two skits making the same point — and now the Obama campaign says the press is giving Clinton an easy ride.
• Florida Weighs Options After Breaking Party Rules
  Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean says Florida's and Michigan's primaries will not count and suggests party officials in the states repeat their presidential nominating contests. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist talks to Robert Siegel about holding a new primary.
• Democratic Attention Turns to Wyoming
  Wyoming, which holds its Democratic presidential caucus Saturday, hasn't voted for a Democrat in the general election in four decades. While that may not change this year, the fact remains: In the ongoing fight between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the nomination, Wyoming matters. Chad Baldwin, the state editor for the Casper Star-Tribune, talks with Melissa Block.
• South Dakota Democrats May Get Say in June
  South Dakota decided not to move up its June presidential primary. Secretary of State Chris Nelson talks to Melissa Block about the decision.
• China Tries to Clean Up Air
  China is now the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Michele Norris, who is in Beijing, talks to Melissa Block about what the country is doing to combat climate change. Deborah Seligsohn of the World Resources Institute discusses the measures China is taking to clean up the air before the Summer Olympics.

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