Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Brauer on Monson
  A front page story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune earlier this week declared that University of Minnesota men's basketball coach Dan Monson was on his way out. But by week's end Monson had neither resigned nor been fired. His job was secure as ever. Did the Star Tribune get the Monson story wrong? Our regular media analyst David Brauer says that technically, the Star Tribune, got the story right throughout.4:19 p.m.
• Point of Revue
  Summing up the state of Black America in 2006 seems like a monumental task for one playwright. In Mixed Blood Theater's latest production, "Point of Revue," 15 African American writers weigh in on the subject. One critic says the result is a production that contradicts common perceptions of black theater. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.4:44 p.m.
• Osmo on Abba
  The music of the 1970s Swedish supergroup is back and on stage at Orchestra Hall. Minnesota Orchestra music director Osmo Vanska is more famous for performing Beethoven and Sibelius, but he's no stranger to ABBA -- and he enjoys performing their pop melodies with a symphony orchestra.4:48 p.m.
• Johnson sanctions include apology on Senate floor
  Sen. Dean Johnson, under pressure for embellishing remarks on the gay marriage issue, will make a public apology on the Senate floor as part of a resolution of an ethics complaint.5:15 p.m.
• Voters will decide future of South Dakota's abortion ban
  There's an effort underway in South Dakota to let the state's voters decide the future of a new abortion law.5:19 p.m.
• Thalidomide shows promise for ovarian cancer treatment
  thalidomide, a drug blamed for causing birth defects in the 1950s and '60s is showing promise in treating recurrent ovarian cancer.5:23 p.m.
• A soldier's story from Iraq
  Coon Rapids resident Derek Burchill has been back from Iraq for a little more than a year. He can tell the 2,600 Minnesota National Guard troops who are now leaving for Iraq what it's like there.5:35 p.m.
• Beyond rhetoric in the same-sex marriage debate
  Thousands of Minnesotans, on both sides of the debate over same-sex marriage, rallied at the capitol this week. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Crann talks with two leaders on opposite sides of the issue about the thinking behind the rhetoric.6:23 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Dave Chappelle, Back in the Spotlight
  Dave Chappelle may be the hottest comic on the block. He has a new documentary in theaters, a hip-hop concert film called Block Party. He's still doing stand-up. And DVDs of his cable TV show are selling at a fast pace.
• Wagner's 'Ring' Reimagined in America
  A bold new interpretation of Richard Wagner's Ring cycle sets its timeless tale of the corruption of power in a more contemporary American setting. Director Francesca Zambello talks about what's being called the American Ring.
• War Protests Fail to Mirror Poll Numbers
  If the war in Iraq is so unpopular, why aren't more people in the streets protesting it? The war does not seem to stir the public's emotion in the same way the Vietnam conflict did. What are we seeing in the polls?
• Report: Saddam Doubted War Would Come
  Saddam Hussein thought Russia and France would prevent an American-led invasion in the leadup to war in 2003. So says a Pentagon report that uses seized documents and interviews with former Iraqi officials to detail the last months of Saddam's regime.
• Afghan Diplomat's U.S. Trip Ends Badly
  When Abdullah Abdullah came to Washington, he was Afghanistan's top diplomat, dispatched to seek a "strategic dialogue" with the United States. But he was fired during a trip that included a controversy over a man on trial for converting to Christianity.
• Study: Adult Mice Cells Mimic Embryonic Stem Cells
  German scientists say cells from the testes of male mice can behave like embryonic stem cells. If the same holds true in humans, it could perhaps provide a controversy-free source of versatile cells for use in treating disease.
• Benedict XVI Installs 15 New Cardinals
  Pope Benedict XVI installs his first group of new cardinals. The 15 join an exclusive group of papal advisers. What do the pope's choices say about the direction in which he will lead the church?
• Daughter of Ex-PM Rues Plight of Malaysian Women
  Writing for International Women's Day, the daughter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad compares the legal status of women in Malaysia to that of blacks in South Africa under apartheid. Activists are at work in Malaysia to repeal a law that bolsters men's rights at women's expense.
• Explorers Complete Historic North Pole Journey
  After 61 days of traveling across Arctic ice on skis, Mike Horn and Borge Ousland complete their unassisted trek to the North Pole — and become the first explorers to do so in winter, during complete darkness. They traveled 620 miles, reaching the North Pole on March 23.
• Senate Pursues Immigration Bill
  Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) is at work on legislation covering a temporary-worker program and giving undocumented immigrants a chance to become legal. And Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) has alternative plans if Specter's effort fails.

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