Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Researchers believe many SIDS deaths are preventable
  It has long been thought that healthy babies who die unexpectedly while they're sleeping are victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Researchers are beginning to find that some of these SIDS deaths may be caused when babies sleep in the same bed as their parents.3:50 p.m.
• Minneapolis mosque reacts to terrorist allegations
  A leader of a metro-area mosque is responding to a U.S. Senate committee after testimony yesterday linked two Twin Cities mosques with alleged terrorist recruitment.4:20 p.m.
• Art Hounds: Week of March 12
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside our own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on this weekend.4:44 p.m.
• Senate trial closing arguments in sight
  After nearly seven weeks of trial, attorneys in Republican Norm Coleman's election contest will present their closing arguments Friday before a three-judge panel. Thursday, Democrat Al Franken's lawyers called their last witnesses and rested their case.5:20 p.m.
• Officials announce $1 billion Elk Run project
  A real estate developer and a venture capitalist said today they are joining together to launch a biobusiness park near Rochester, reportedly costing nearly $1 billion.5:24 p.m.
• Researchers believe many SIDS deaths are preventable
  It has long been thought that healthy babies who die unexpectedly while they're sleeping are victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Researchers are beginning to find that some of these SIDS deaths may be caused when babies sleep in the same bed as their parents.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Wary Of Wall Street? Invest In A Dairy Farm
  Organic farmer Dante Hesse needs to raise about $700,000 to upgrade his dairy. When Hesse couldn't get a loan through usual channels, he turned to his customers for help. Though he's got no collateral or co-signers, some say they're ready to invest.
• Extortion, Gang Violence Terrorize El Salvador
  One of the biggest issues in El Salvador's upcoming presidential election is crime. The tiny country has one of the highest murder rates in the Americas. Street gangs dominate sections of the capital, and extortion rackets are rampant.
• For Family, Saving Becomes A Way Of Life
  With the economy in crisis, there's growing evidence that people are making significant lifestyle changes. The Koffmans of Washington, D.C., are among families with resources who are cutting back and putting more money in the bank.
• Madoff Pleads Guilty, Goes To Jail
  Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff appeared in federal court in New York Thursday and pleaded guilty to running a multibillion dollar Ponzi scheme. The judge denied a request from Madoff's lawyer that he remain free until sentencing in June, sending Madoff to jail.
• Madoff Victim Says She Lost All Her Savings
  Many of Bernard Madoff's victims were in court Thursday to watch him plead guilty and go to jail. One of those present was Ronnie Sue Ambrosino. She and her husband lost their life savings of $1.66 million in Madoff's Ponzi scheme.
• Madoff Losses May Be Less Than Expected
  Estimates of the amount of money Bernard Madoff bilked from investors vary from $50 billion to $64 billion. Investigators say, however, the actual losses are far less.
• Iraqi Shoe Thrower Gets Three Years
  The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush last year was given a three-year prison sentence Thursday by a Baghdad court. Lawyers for Muntadar al-Zaidi say they will appeal the sentence.
• Chicago's Sears Tower Changes Name
  Chicago's famous Sears Tower will be getting a new name — becoming the Willis Tower. The global insurance broker Willis Group announced that will move to the renamed tower by this summer.
• Opposing Sides Prepare For Union Bill Battle
  A lobbying spendathon is under way over the Employee Free Choice Act, which Democrats introduced in Congress this week. The bill would make it easier for unions to organize workers. It is opposed by most business groups.
• Remembering The Father Of Joint Custody
  Parenting groups — and especially fathers — have been paying tribute to James Cook who died Feb. 21. After losing his own custody battle, Cook worked to push through the nation's first joint-custody law in California, paving the way to changes in other states. David Levy, who worked on parenting issues alongside Cook, remembers him.

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