Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Officials, schools ponder how to handle threats from other countries
  The Twin Cities case isn't the first time a school threat has been traced to a computer in another country. It raises questions about how quickly police and school officials are able to determine whether a threat is credible.3:49 p.m.
• Judge cancels special election on city projects vote
  Local residents in Fergus Falls wanted to impose a new ordinance requiring a citywide vote on major capital improvement projects, but a judge has cancelled the special election that would put the measure in place.3:55 p.m.
• Art Hounds
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside their own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on in local arts.4:44 p.m.
• Hecker's former father-in-law intended to help investigation
  Unsealed court documents indicate Denny Hecker's former father-in-law intended to help law enforcement authorities investigating Hecker, but that was before William Prohofsky fatally shot himself in an apparent suicide last week.4:50 p.m.
• Calendar quirk will cost U of M $41M in payroll
  Because of a once in a decade quirk in the calendar, employees at the University of Minnesota will receive an extra pay check in the next fiscal year, and it could cost the university upward of $41 million.4:52 p.m.
• Filmmakers create a genre unknown in France
  Unlike the U.S., France has no tradition of prison movies. So recently when a film opened in French cinemas about a young man trying to survive in a brutal Paris prison it electrified audiences. Now Minnesota audiences can see the movie, called "A Prophet," when it opens this weekend.4:55 p.m.
• Magnuson's tenure as chief justice short, but eventful
  During his two years at the helm of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Eric Magnuson has dealt with an ongoing series of budget cuts, the U.S. Senate recount, and an upcoming case challenging the governor's budget-cutting authority.5:20 p.m.
• Officials, schools ponder how to handle threats from other countries
  The Twin Cities case isn't the first time a school threat has been traced to a computer in another country. It raises questions about how quickly police and school officials are able to determine whether a threat is credible.5:24 p.m.
• Plans for new St. Croix bridge headed back to drawing board
  Plans for a new St. Croix bridge near Stillwater appear to be heading back to the drawing board after a judge characterized the new bridge's visual effect as "dramatic and disruptive," contrary to the rivers protections under a federal program.5:51 p.m.
• Liberians again seek extension of protected status
  The clock is ticking once again for thousands of Liberian immigrants who've been living in the U.S. on a legal, but temporary, basis for years.5:55 p.m.
• Hecker's former father-in-law intended to help investigation
  Unsealed court documents indicate Denny Hecker's former father-in-law intended to help law enforcement authorities investigating Hecker, but that was before William Prohofsky fatally shot himself in an apparent suicide last week.6:20 p.m.
• Calendar quirk will cost U of M $41M in payroll
  Because of a once in a decade quirk in the calendar, employees at the University of Minnesota will receive an extra pay check in the next fiscal year, and it could cost the university upward of $41 million.6:22 p.m.
• Judge cancels special election on city projects vote
  Local residents in Fergus Falls wanted to impose a new ordinance requiring a citywide vote on major capital improvement projects, but a judge has cancelled the special election that would put the measure in place.6:25 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Girls' Deaths Reignite Calls For More Predator Laws
  Two cases in California have renewed calls to strengthen laws designed to protect communities from sex offenders like John Gardner, who is charged in the murder of one teen and is being investigated in the death of another. But there's already a raft of laws, named after earlier victims. Legal experts say the laws in place should be better enforced.
• Afghan Troops Earn Kudos, But Questions Remain
  NATO commanders in southern Afghanistan are sharing credit for the success of last month's offensive in Marjah with their Afghan counterparts. But there are still concerns about the Afghans' tactics and ability to coordinate with foreign troops on the battlefield.
• Computers One Step Closer To Reading Your Mind
  Clairvoyant computers may be nearer to reality than you'd think. In a new study, a computer program that analyzes brain scans was able to detect participants' thoughts — or at least their memories of a short film they were thinking about.
• New Music Emerges From Elkhart's Instrument Past
  Dozens of band instrument makers used to be part of the local economy in Elkhart, Ind. But since the city was battered by the economy, only three major companies remain. One says it will manufacture instruments only in the U.S. — and it will hire new workers to grow the business and regain market share.
• Costs Threaten Upkeep Of John Brown's Burial Site
  Shutting down a park at the New York farm where the abolitionist's body lies would save taxpayers about $40,000 a year, a tiny chunk of the state's $8 billion deficit. Historians say that's not enough of a savings to warrant the loss of a landmark.
• Lionel Loueke: Jazz Meets African Rhythms On 'Mwaliko'
  The jazz guitarist draws on an extremely wide range of styles. From bebop to Brazilian rhythms to lyrical ballads to sounds from his native Benin, Loueke's latest album, Mwaliko, showcases the artist's inventive take on jazz.
• Why Clicking Isn't Enough: Unblock Reasonable Ads
  Everyone knows the Internet is chock-full of great information, opinion and community. But commentator Ken Fisher says that what everyone doesn't know is that blocking Internet ads can truly hurt the Web sites you love.
• Calif. Assemblyman On Sex Offender Record Change
  California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has ended the state's practice of destroying the parole records of convicted sex offenders a year after they finish their paroles. The move was prompted by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher who urged the governor to make that change after a registered sex offender was charged in the murder of a San Diego teenager, and Fletcher discovered his parole file had been destroyed. Fletcher offers his insight.
• Highway Deaths At Lowest Levels Since 1950s
  The Department of Transportation announced Thursday that the number of people killed in highway crashes last year was the lowest since 1954. Factoring in the number of miles traveled, it was the lowest fatality rate ever.
• GOP Targets Democrats On Ethics, Earmarks
  House Republicans have launched a full-blown ethics offensive against the Democratic majority. The issues are ethics violations and spending earmarks, two lines of attack Democrats employed when they won control of Congress four years ago.

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