All Things Considered for April 7, 2010 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Hastings student admitted he tried to shoot, but gun malfunctioned
Dakota County authorities say an eighth grader who brought a gun to the Hastings Middle School on Monday admitted he tried to fire the weapon, but it malfunctioned.4:50 p.m.
Head of New Orleans' mental health crisis unit discusses lessons learned
Cecile Tebo, who leads the New Orleans police department's so-called mental health "SWAT" team in post-Katrina New Orleans, says the city's mental health crisis is far from over.4:54 p.m.
Thousands turn out for Palin-Bachmann rally
Several thousand people packed the Minneapolis Convention Center today see former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's rally for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and the Minnesota Republican Party.5:20 p.m.
Road construction season will be one of the busiest ever
MnDOT will spend $1.3 billion this year on 283 projects across the state, from routine road repair to major expansion and rebuilding.5:25 p.m.
Apartment in deadly fire hadn't been inspected in 16 years
Fire inspectors visited McMahon's Irish Pub on the main floor of the mixed-use building just a few weeks before the fire, but they didn't look at the second floor, where investigators believe a fire started that killed six people.5:50 p.m.
Hastings student admitted he tried to shoot, but gun malfunctioned
Dakota County authorities say an eighth grader who brought a gun to the Hastings Middle School on Monday admitted he tried to fire the weapon, but it malfunctioned.6:20 p.m.
Head of New Orleans' mental health crisis unit discusses lessons learned
Cecile Tebo, who leads the New Orleans police department's so-called mental health "SWAT" team in post-Katrina New Orleans, says the city's mental health crisis is far from over.6:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Anti-Government Protests Turn Deadly In Kyrgyzstan
Anti-government protests erupted in the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday, as thousands of protesters stormed government buildings and took over state television. Melissa Block talks to NPR's David Greene about the civil unrest there.
Attacks In Iraq Surge Amid Postelection Wrangling
Insurgents in Iraq appear to be taking advantage of political gridlock after the country's March 7 election by launching attacks on the government and civilians. More than 100 people have died in bombings and massacres over the past five days, and Iraqis fear a return to the bad days.
Backpacked Birds Reveal Who's The Boss
Using lightweight GPS devices in tiny backpacks strapped to homing pigeons, researchers have figured out who is calling the shots when birds fly in flock. Every bird gets a vote, but the weight of its vote depends on its rank in the flock hierarchy.
Under Israel's Divorce Laws, Men Get The Final Word
According to Jewish law, a man has to agree to grant his wife a divorce of his own free will before the legal separation can proceed. "If he's incapacitated, if he's abusive, if he committed adultery, it really doesn't matter," says Susan Weiss, who runs the Center for Women's Justice. "If he doesn't say yes, you're stuck."
'Churchgate': The Scandal That Won't Go Away
NPR Senior News Analyst Dan Schorr gives his thoughts on the ongoing sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, questioning the response of the church leadership.
D.C. Deal With Teachers Union A Model For U.S.?
After more than two years of wrangling, District of Columbia schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has reached a tentative agreement with the city's teachers union on a new contract. The deal could become a model for efforts nationwide to tie teacher pay to student performance.
Funding Cut Has New Jersey Schools Scrambling
Gov. Chris Christie says he will cut state spending on education by $820 million. That means some districts will get no state money at all. He says his target is teacher pay; critics worry the cutbacks will hurt low-income students and programs geared toward the disadvantaged.
German Unemployed Get A Boost Through Music
The economically depressed city of Leipzig has one of the highest unemployment rates in Germany. But a unique musical group, the Bohemian Choir, is restoring a sense of identity and self-worth in long-term jobless residents.
Florence And The Machine: From Delicate To Fierce
Following critical praise for their 2009 debut, and with a second album in the works, fiery frontwoman Florence Welch and her band are touring the U.S. for the first time ever. Here, the British rockers showcase a polished punk sound and Welch's powerhouse voice.
Greenspan Defends Tenure As Fed Chief
Members of a bipartisan commission looking into the causes of the financial crisis questioned former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan about the Fed's role as a regulator on Wednesday. Several commissioners pressed Greenspan to explain why he hadn't done more to prevent risky subprime mortgage lending.