Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• DNR under fire for management of trust fund for Minn. schools
  A trust fund for Minnesota schools will likely balloon if the state approves nickel-copper mining on the Iron Range. But critics say the fund isn't generating as much money as it should.4:53 p.m.
• Census data confirms suburban growth, greater diversity in Minn.
  Minnesota has become slightly more racially diverse, and Minneapolis and St. Paul have lagged behind population growth in other parts of the state over the past 10 years.5:19 p.m.
• Pawlenty's drawl takes Minnesotans by surprise
  On a trip to Iowa last week, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty attracted attention not for his policy positions, but for the way he was speaking. Many people thought they heard him using a southern accent.5:23 p.m.
• Keillor tells AARP he'll retire in May 2013
  The host of public radio's "A Prairie Home Companion" gave the retirement date in an interview for the AARP Bulletin's online books column released Wednesday. But the 68-year-old says he has to find his replacement first.5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Japan Tries To Cool Damaged Nuclear Reactors
  In Japan, workers are struggling to gain control over reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant damaged by last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. Reactor No. 3 is perhaps in the direst condition — with damaged fuel rods, a possible breach in the containment system and smoke rising from the reactor. Japan aborted a helicopter mission to dump water on the reactor Wednesday evening. Michele Norris talks to NPR's Richard Harris.
• On Northeast Coast, Portraits Of Japanese Resilience
  In a town about two hours north of the Fukushima power plant, the destruction is countered by Japanese working diligently and with dignity to recover from disaster.
• Clinton Visits Egyptian Protester Site
  While in Cairo, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pays a visit to Tahrir Square — the site where the revolution in Egypt began.
• For The Long-Term Unemployed, The Hunt Continues
  In St. Louis, Ray Meyer lost his banking job two years ago and Casaundra Bronner has been unemployed since March 2010. They keep hustling, applying for jobs and networking, but it seems that the longer they're out of work, the harder it is to get back in.
• Wilderness Tales To Awaken Your Natural Spirit
  When writer Jonathan Evison reads a book, he wants full immersion — emotionally, intellectually and sensually. He suggests three wild, Western adventure tales that will pick you up, knock you down and leave you breathless.
• Libyan Rebels Continue To Lose Ground
  Anti-government forces in Libya are on their heels, and they've lost perhaps their most valuable weapon: their optimism. Michele Norris speaks to Sudarsan Raghavan, Africa bureau chief for the Washington Post, about the latest from Benghazi, Libya.
• Pentagon Wants Vets To Pay More For Health Care
  Since the military's managed health care program for retired service members began 15 years ago, its beneficiaries have never had a hike in premiums. They pay about one-tenth what other federal employees pay. The Defense Department says that's unsustainable; retirees say raising fees is a "breach of moral contract."
• Durbin Discusses Stopgap Spending Bill
  The House passed another temporary spending bill Tuesday to keep the government operating. That's the sixth since the fiscal year began in October — and the second this month. The Senate is expected to pass the bill this week. Congress will then have three weeks to avoid a government shutdown. Robert Siegel talks with Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, about the current state of budget negotiations.
• Miami-Dade County Mayor Recalled
  In Miami-Dade County, the voters have spoken. Mayor Carlos Alvarez was recalled Tuesday in a special election. A whopping 88 percent of Miami-Dade voters wanted Alvarez out. Robert Siegel speaks with Joy-Ann Reid, Miami Herald political columnist, about the Miami-Dade mayor recall.
• The Baseball Project: For Love Of The Game
  The supergroup, which includes members of R.E.M. and The Dream Syndicate, takes fandom seriously on its second disc of songs about the national pastime.

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