Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Senate's opening education bid undercuts governor
  The Senate DFL proposal holds schools' basic state allowance flat for the next two years, but plows a considerable amount of money into programs serving children with disabilities or special needs.2:19 a.m.
• Mall of America shops for a subsidy
  The Mall of America is proposing a $1.5 billion project that would double the size of the retail and tourist attraction in Bloomington. But the mall's plan faces powerful skeptics who represent its neighbors.2:24 a.m.
• Spotlight begins to shine on link between drug companies and doctors
  A new report highlighting the money pharmaceutical companies are giving Minnesota doctors has some doctors and lawmakers suggesting the state needs tighter disclosure laws.2:49 a.m.
• Audit: St. Paul Fire Department in crisis
  The audit comes in the wake of deteriorating labor management relations, and a union vote of no confidence against Chief Doug Holton.3:20 a.m.
• Adventures of a mailman
  Mail Route 17 is in the Nokomis neighborhood of Minneapolis. One man, Vincent Wyckoff, probably knows as much about it as anybody. Wyckoff has delivered the mail on Route 17 for more than 15 years, and now he's written a book about his experiences.3:23 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Bush Counsel: Rove Subpoena Would Be Refused
  There is a possible collision between Congress and the President Bush over testimony from White House staff regarding the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys. Robert Siegel talks with Dan Bartlett, counselor to the president, about how the White House will respond to potential subpoenas of White House officials.
• Digital Projection in Theaters Slowed by Dispute
  For a while now, movie studios have been touting digital projectors that will drastically improve the look of movies on the big screen. But while studios and theater owners have been squabbling over details, some say audiences have been missing out.
• Afghans Celebrate Music Festival, Amid Caution
  Afghan musicians and performers gather in Mazar-i-Sharif to mark an ancient New Year's celebration known as Nowruz. The country's largest cultural festival in decades is a triumph for musicians who were banned from performing by the Taliban. But the celebration has risks.
• What Do the 2008 Candidates Stand For?
  With many presidential campaigns already off and running, we look at what defines each candidate. They all claim to have their own unique ideas about America's future, and how to lead the country. But how do they distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack?
• Airbus Barnstorms with Its Huge New A380 Jet
  The gigantic new Airbus A380 passenger jet debuts in the United States this week, in a promotional tour that belies the fact that U.S. airlines have not rushed to order the plane. The super-jumbo jet has double-deck seating for 555 travelers, but few U.S. orders.
• Firefighters Face Added Risk of Fatal Heart Attack
  Firefighters are twice as likely to die from a heart attack in the line of duty than are policemen, and three times more likely than EMTs. Now a new study finds that firefighters are up to 136 times more likely to die of a heart attack while fighting a blaze than when they're on non-emergency duty.
• Telling the Seasons by a Woodcock Clock
  Everyone has a favorite harbinger of spring. Commentator Julie Zickefoose nominates a pudgy, brown bird with big brown eyes and an over-sized bill.
• Gore Takes Global Warming Message to Congress
  Al Gore takes his climate-change crusade to Congress, calling for an immediate freeze on greenhouse gases in order to fight global warming. Speaking to the House Energy Committee and the Senate Environment Committee, the former vice president said, "The planet has a fever."
• Snow: Subpoenas May Lead to Less Cooperation
  Congress and the White House ratchet up a confrontation over eight dismissed U.S. attorneys — and how officials will testify in an inquiry of the firings. A House panel has authorized subpoenas. But White House spokesman Tony Snow says that would lead President Bush to withdraw an offer to cooperate.
• Keeping Genetic Discrimination at Bay
  If made into law, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act would bar prejudicial treatment based solely on genetic data, such as genetic predisposition to disease. Dr. Kathy Hudson strongly recommended the move when she appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Health.
• Missourians Take Classes on Spotting Tornadoes
  It is tornado season in the Midwest, where the National Weather Service is training the public to act as tornado spotters. When meteorologists see storm patterns on radar that suggest a tornado is forming, they rely on the spotters to report what's happening in the skies.
• Deadly Tornadoes Spur Calls for Better Warnings
  It has already been a deadly tornado season in the United States, raising questions about the sophistication of tornado warning systems such as sirens and weather radios. Michele Norris talks with Nancy Mathis, author of Storm Warning, about how such warning systems could be improved.
• On Attorney Dispute, a Flashback for Fielding?
  After watching the tense standoff between Democrats in Congress and the White House over the fired U.S. attorneys, it seems Republicans don't have a very good hand to play.
• Executive Staff Have History of Sworn Hearings
  Presidents have not always refused to have their staff members testify before Congress. President Ford himself testified about why he pardoned former President Nixon. Even President Bush allowed his then-White House adviser on terrorism, Tom Ridge, to appear before Congress a few years ago.
• Gore Has Steadily Regained National Footing
  Michele Norris talks Karen Breslau, San Francisco bureau chief for Newsweek, and author of "The Resurrection of Al Gore," an article published in the May 2006, issue of Wired Magazine. Breslau discusses what Gore has been up to since he left office.

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