Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Snocross king Tucker Hibbert keeps racing and life in control
  Minnesota is home to two of the largest snowmobile manufacturers in the world, so perhaps it's no surprise that the state is also home to some of the best snowmobile racers in the world. One of them, Tucker Hibbert, is king of snocross, the sport's most eye-popping, television-friendly and dangerous events.3:50 p.m.
• The Cube Critics: 'Dead Man Down,' 'Jon Dies at the End,' 'No'
  This week, The Cube Critics Stephanie Curtis and Euan Kerr were occupied with "Dead Man Down," "John Dies at the End," and "No."3:55 p.m.
• Report: Dentists underpaid by state for low-income patient care
  A report released Friday by Minnesota's Legislative Auditor says the state should pay dentists more for treating patients enrolled in Minnesota's Medical Assistance program.4:50 p.m.
• Report for U of M recommends administrative efficiency measures
  An independent report on the University of Minnesota's administrative structure finds some departments could be made more efficient by increasing the employee to supervisor ratio.4:54 p.m.
• Dayton abandons business-to-business tax
  Signaling a major shift in his budget and tax proposals, Gov. Mark Dayton said Friday there won't be a sales tax on business or consumer services in the the revised budget plan he'll release next week.5:20 p.m.
• Stadium Watch: Will MN have buyer's remorse after Falcons stadium deal?
  At least a couple of Minnesota lawmakers feel Minnesota might want to rethink the deal it gave the Vikings in light of the deal struck with Atlanta and the Falcons. The Falcons are putting an estimated $800 million into their new $1 billion stadium, compared to the Vikings $477 million contribution. (Minneapolis is putting in $150 miillion and the state is putting in $348 million.)5:24 p.m.
• A good week for economic reports in Minn., US
  Reports released this week show an improving economy in Minnesota and the nation.5:51 p.m.
• Snocross king Tucker Hibbert keeps racing and life in control
  Minnesota is home to two of the largest snowmobile manufacturers in the world, so perhaps it's no surprise that the state is also home to some of the best snowmobile racers in the world. One of them, Tucker Hibbert, is king of snocross, the sport's most eye-popping, television-friendly and dangerous events.5:55 p.m.
• The Cube Critics: 'Dead Man Down,' 'Jon Dies at the End,' 'No'
  This week, The Cube Critics Stephanie Curtis and Euan Kerr were occupied with "Dead Man Down," "John Dies at the End," and "No."6:25 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Economists Pleasantly Surprised By February Jobs Report
  The jobs report for February came in surprisingly strong this morning. Employers added 236,000 jobs to payrolls and the unemployment rate fell to a four-year low of 7.7 percent.
• Week In Politics: Unemployment, Rand Paul's Filibuster
  Melissa Block talks to regular political commentators E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and Brookings Institution, and Mary Kate Cary, former speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush and a columnist with U.S. News & World Report. They discuss the latest unemployment figures, Rand Paul's filibuster, and Jeb Bush.
• Can You Make Sad Songs Sound Happy (And Vice Versa)?
  Recently, a few musical alchemists have been tweaking popular songs, converting minor keys to major ones and raising questions about how the human brain processes music.
• Police Officers Caught In The Middle Go On Strike In Egypt
  There is a growing strike by police officers in Egypt. Long accused of brutality before and after the fall of the Mubarak regime, police commanders say they are ill-equipped to handle the ongoing protests, many of them violent, in Port Said and other cities. They are demanding the ouster of the new Interior Minister, appointed by President Mohammed Morsi. The strike comes amid fears of more violence on Saturday when a court in Cairo is scheduled to hand down a second group of verdicts and sentences in connection with a soccer riot that left 70 dead last year.
• Dismissal Of Air Force Officer's Sexual Assault Conviction Raises Questions
  Members of Congress are demanding answers after an Air Force commander overturned the guilty verdict in a sexual assault case. A military jury had convicted an Air Force officer and sentenced him to a year in prison and dismissal from the service. The commander has not publicly explained his decision. Audie Cornish talks to Stars and Stripes reporter Nancy Montgomery, who's been covering the story.
• Faced With Massive Budget Cuts, Philadelphia Plans To Shutter 23 Schools
  School officials in Philadelphia announced Thursday night the names of 23 schools that will be closed to help narrow a budget gap of more than $1 billion. Philadelphia is one of several big city school districts that are shutting down schools amid declining enrollments, the rise of charter schools and low student achievement.
• Chicago Blackhawks Continue Remarkable NHL Winning Streak
  It's not quite a winning streak, but what the Chicago Blackhawks have done in one half of a lockout-shortened NHL season has been remarkable. Twenty one wins and just three shoot out losses in 24 games. And, as sportswriter Stefan Fatsis tells Audie Cornish, the most amazing thing about Chicago's torrid start? It's got people paying attention to hockey again after yet another lockout almost killed then entire year.
• From 'Oz,' A Less Than Magical Prequel
  Director Sam Raimi and star James Franco can't provide enough pizzazz to carry Oz the Great and Powerful aloft. Their effects-heavy prequel to 1939's Wizard of Oz serves up a long-winded answer to a question most probably weren't asking.
• Does Crime Drop When Immigrants Move In?
  Many elected officials say there's a link between immigration and crime, and have even passed tough anti-immigration laws as a result. But some researchers say cities with large immigrant populations boast conditions that depress crime: young families and active, bustling neighborhoods.
• In Chicago, Dueling Ads Over The Meaning Of 'Jihad'
  There is an advertising battle going on over the Arabic term jihad. In Chicago, a group has launched a bus and subway ad campaign meant to reclaim the term jihad from another series of ads that presents jihadists as violent.

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