Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Wilf likely to make money off new stadium; how much is not clear
  It's a recurring theme from those who don't want to use public dollars to build the Minnesota Vikings a new football stadium: the public subsidy will fall to the team's bottom line and result in a big financial windfall for the owners. But an analysis of the value of the NFL's franchises doesn't paint a very clear picture.4:50 p.m.
• At hockey safety summit, calls for skill over toughness
  A panel of hockey coaches, referees and other experts on Thursday said that changes to the game -- from enforcing stiffer penalties for dangerous plays to emphasizing skill instead of intimidation -- could help make the game safer.4:54 p.m.
• Emotional Sviggum steps down from U of M regents
  Former Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum's dispute with the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents is over. He resigned his position Thursday.5:20 p.m.
• U ex-president Bruininks moved $350K to his new post
  State lawmakers are raising questions about former University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks' handling of university funding in two separate instances. Earlier this week, legislators looked into payouts that Bruininks made to departing senior officials at the U. Now his ties to a program he funded while president have raised more questions.5:24 p.m.
• White Earth: Proposed Twin Cities casino key to tribe's future
  Hundreds of tribal members met in Mahnomen Thursday for the annual report on the state of the White Earth Nation.5:51 p.m.
• Bachmann remains strong in reconfigured 6th District, supporters say
  The new 6th District she will be running in is considered even more conservative than the old one. And some Republicans seem to think Bachmann's unsuccessful run for president has helped -- not hurt -- her back home.5:54 p.m.
• Dining with Dara: Spring restaurant preview
  As winter comes to a close in Minnesota, restaurant watchers are starting to think about spring. Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl of Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine talks with MPR's Tom Crann about the dining trends she's noticing this spring.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• JOBS Act Passes House With Bipartisan Support
  The House overwhelmingly passed a package of bills pushed by Republican leaders that were designed to make it easier for businesses to raise money to expand. President Obama supports the proposal, but Congressional Democrats have seemed on the outs in the cooperation between the White House and GOP.
• Small Businesses Staying Lean, Wary Of Hiring
  Optimism is growing about the U.S. jobs market. Hiring is up, with most of the new jobs coming from small and medium-sized businesses. But some small-business owners say the changes they've made in recent years are making the need for manpower less urgent.
• As Advertisers Flee, Is Limbaugh Losing That Much?
  Although a number of companies have dropped ads from Rush Limbaugh's show following his comments about a Georgetown University law student, Limbaugh says his business is doing just fine. Robert Siegel talks to Michael Harrison, the publisher of Talkers magazine, about the radio host's media empire, his influence and how his business model works.
• Oregon Emphasizes Choices At The End Of Life
  Oregon created a simple two-page form that has helped people exert control over their care at the end of life. A statewide database that contains the information is providing insight into what people prefer.
• U.S. Spent Two Decades On 'Kony' Before Viral Video
  A video by the advocacy group Invisible Children calls for military action against the vicious African militants known as the Lord's Resistance Army. The video has gone viral, getting 40 million views since being posted Monday on YouTube.
• With Cutbacks, Greeks Say Antiquities Are At Risk
  Greece has been making big cutbacks to its public sector as part of across-the-board austerity measures. This means there are fewer guards protecting the country's cultural heritage, and two recent thefts point to the dangers.
• Commuters Suffer As Detroit Cuts Bus Service
  As the city of Detroit struggles to avoid bankruptcy, those who rely on public transit in Motown are already dealing with severe cutbacks in the city's bus system, driven by attempts to address the precarious financial situation.
• Celebrity Chef Mario Batali Settles Lawsuit With His Waitstaff
  Mario Batali needs to keep his hands out of the tip jar, according to his waitstaff. The celebrity chef and restaurateur, along with a business partner, have agreed to pay $5.25 million to more than 100 former workers who say the owners kept some of their tips.
• Winter Songs: A Family In Limbo Looks To Brandi Carlile
  Joanna Woodbury and her husband spent a trying winter waiting to know if their adoption of an Ethiopian child would become final. During that time, she says, a song by Brandi Carlile took on new resonance.
• Video Defector Urges Fellow Syrians To Do The Same
  In a video posted early Thursday, a senior official in the Syrian Oil Ministry announced that he was defecting. If true, it would be a significant blow to the government of Bashar Assad.

The Dinner Party Download™

A fast, funny digest of the week's most interesting news, cuisine, cocktails and culture.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories