Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Deep-fried devotion
  If Lent had a mascot, it would likely be a fish, or maybe a fish fillet.4:45 p.m.
• Billy McLaughlin in studio
  Billy McLaughlin, a five-time Minnesota Music Award winner, has been diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological movement disorder.4:52 p.m.
• Pawlenty budget fix cuts spending, but also cuts sales tax
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget fix comes with a twist: In addition to spending cuts, he's proposing a statewide sales tax reduction.5:20 p.m.
• "Super Saturday" approaches
  On Saturday DFL activists will meet at more than 30 county and senate district conventions. They'll choose delegates to the state convention who will vote in June to endorse a U.S. Senate candidate.5:50 p.m.
• Director hopes Minnesota-made movie leads to healing
  A movie shot around the Fond du Lac reservation in northern Minnesota will gets its first public screening at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The film, "Older than America," is an uncompromising drama about Indian boarding schools.5:54 p.m.
• Union battle heats up in A.G. Swanson's office
  Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson and many of her employees are at odds over a union organization effort within the office. Some employees say they've faced harassment and intimidation for their union support.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Qualifying the Idea of a 'Qualified' Leader
  The question of which candidate is most ready to handle an international crisis has prompted feuding on the campaign trail. What would the three major White House hopefuls bring to that 3 a.m. phone call?
• Study Tracks 'Daylight Saving' Energy Use
  A study conducted in Indiana concluded that Daylight Saving Time uses more energy than it conserves. Matthew Kotchen, an economics professor who worked on the study, talks with Melissa Block about what researchers learned.
• Home Schooling Sparks Credential Debate
  Parents who home-school their children need a teaching credential, according to a recent appellate court ruling in California. What does the ruling mean for those who home-school more than 1 million American children?
• NIU Rethinks Decision on Shooting Site
  A week ago, Northern Illinois University said Cole Hall — site of fatal Feb. 14 shootings — would be replaced with a $40 million building. After an uproar, the school has decided to review the decision and form a committee to discuss a fitting memorial. Chris Hosken reports for member station WNIJ in DeKalb.
• Why Are Oil Prices Climbing So High?
  Oil prices hit $106 a barrel Friday. That's a record even when inflation is considered. Oil now costs more in real dollars than it did at the height of the Arab oil embargo in 1973. But why are prices so high?
• Scrabble at 60
  As the game of Scrabble turns 60, the business of Scrabble remains serious. Wall Street Journal sportswriter Stefan Fatsis, who chronicled the world of Scrabble in his book Word Freak, talks with Robert Siegel.
• Robert Frost Lectures Find Fresh Audience
  Poet Robert Frost gave a series of informal lectures at Dartmouth College in 1947. Transcripts are now being published, using recordings that were in college's archives for decades.
• Letters: Florida Gov. Crist, Vampire Weekend
  Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listeners' e-mails about our interview with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and our review of Vampire Weekend.
• Bassist Reflects on Taking Music to North Korea
  Jon Deak, a bass player with the New York Philharmonic, performed in North Korea last week. Among the highlights was the performance of a 12-year-old composer's work. Deak tells Melissa Block about his experience.
• Leaving North Korea for New Lives
  A steady trickle of refugees and defectors continues to leave North Korea. And after often harrowing escapes, refugees face daunting challenges fitting into South Korea. Young defectors face many challenges.
• U.N.'s Man in Darfur Addresses New Crisis
  The last few weeks have seen disturbing new violence in Sudan's troubled Darfur region. Michael Gaouette, leader of a U.N. team responsible for a new peacekeeping force in Darfur, speaks with Melissa Block.
• Montana Governor on 'Real ID' Act
  Montana is one of several states that have balked at a federal law requiring states to issue tamper-proof identification cards to residents. Gov. Brian Schweitzer discusses his state's opposition.
• California Jobs Hit Hard by Housing Woes
  California's employment picture has been soured by the housing meltdown. Jobs are being lost in construction and in financial services. Rachael Myrow reports for member station KQED in San Francisco.
• 'Hollywood' Sign Property Up for Sale
  The ridge line next to the famed "Hollywood" sign in Los Angeles is up for sale, with a price tag of $22 million. One L.A. city council member has launched a personal crusade to stop the developers.
• Lawmakers Grill Subprime Execs on Pay
  Before the subprime mortgage market blew up, some top executives of mortgage and finance companies made a killing in salaries and stock options. A few of those CEOs were grilled about that Friday by a congressional oversight committee.

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