Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Recovery still far away, despite increase in metro home sales
  March home sales in the Twin Cities area posted a robust 14 percent increase, but prices continue to fall compared to last year. But experts caution against declaring an economic recovery is underway.5:16 p.m.
• Minneapolis settles bias lawsuit by black officers
  The city of Minneapolis has settled a racial discrimination lawsuit with five African-American police officers for $740,000.5:21 p.m.
• Archbishop Nienstedt joins anti-abortion demonstration
  Hundreds of demonstrators were outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Paul Friday morning for an annual Good Friday demonstration protesting legalized abortion.5:24 p.m.
• Somalis in Minnesota react to barrage of bad news
  Somalia has been dominating the headlines in recent weeks, with various news stories in Minnesota and around the world focusing on events related to that African country. Somalis in Minnesota are reacting in various ways to the avalanche of publicity about their homeland.5:50 p.m.
• Liberian President visits Minnesota
  Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is telling Minnesota's large Liberian population she supports the bid by many to obtain permanent U.S. residency but also hopes some return to participate in the country's rebuilding.5:55 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Letters: Israel-Palestinian Conflict; Zappa's Music
  Listeners respond to Eric Westervelt's series on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the Bemidji State Beavers' Cinderella skate to the NCAA hockey semifinals and Joel Rose's story on the rights to Frank Zappa's music.
• CEO Of Shipping Company Was 'Polite' With Pirates
  James Christodoulou, CEO of Industrial Shipping Enterprises Corp., negotiated on behalf of his crew of 28 after their tanker was seized by pirates last November in the Gulf of Aden. Christodoulou tells NPR's Melissa Block that he was polite and respectful while negotiating with pirates.
• California Lists People Who Owe A Lot In Taxes
  California is trying to turn up the heat on what it says are its biggest delinquent tax payers. On the list are singer Dionne Warwick and comedian Sinbad, who the state says owe more than $2 million each.
• Tiger Woods Shoots For U.S. Masters' Green Jacket
  At the U.S. Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., all eyes are on Tiger Woods, who is pursuing his sixth Green Jacket. This is his first major tournament since returning from knee surgery. But so far, Chad Campbell has kept himself atop the leader board in the opening rounds. Melissa Blocks talks with NPR's Tom Goldman about the tournament.
• How U.S. Captain Is Faring Under Pirates' Hostage
  Pirates continue to hold commercial Capt. Richard Phillips hostage on the high seas off the Horn of Africa as the U.S. Navy beefs up its presence nearby. Phillips unsuccessfully tried to escape Friday.
• Spitzer: Bank Regulators Lacked Will, Not Power
  Before he quit public life in disgrace, Eliot Spitzer made his name by cracking down on Wall Street malfeasance. Now, the former New York governor writes about the financial crisis for Slate, and he says regulators could've stopped wrongdoing if they'd really wanted to.
• Sallie Mae Resists Obama's Student Loan Reforms
  This week, Sallie Mae announced it is bringing 2,000 jobs back to the U.S. from overseas. It's part of the student loan company's campaign to reinvent itself following President Obama's announcement of a plan to bypass private lenders and turn the federal government into the direct source of education loans.
• Obama Points To Signs Of Life In Economy
  President Obama says the economy is still stressed out, but there are "glimmers of hope." After meeting with economic advisers, the president says those include low mortgage rates leading to refinancing, increases in small business loans and stimulus tax cuts making their way into paychecks.
• What Is The Real State Of The Economy?
  Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman of the New York Times and Robert Samuelson of Newsweek discuss conflicting reports as to whether the economy is showing signs of life — or it's still skidding downward.
• Tax Preparer: More People Filing Taxes From Home
  Jeff Alvey, the president of Fair Tax in Sioux Falls, S.D., says he expects to see 70 to 100 clients a day ahead of the April 15 deadline for filing tax returns. Alvey tells Melissa Block he's seeing a dip in clients because people are trying to file from home.
• Lisa Hannigan Sews Together A Solo Debut
  Two years after her sudden dismissal from Damien Rice's band, in which she sang backup for seven years, the Irish singer has crafted her first solo album. Literally, crafted: Not only did Hannigan write the music, but she also hand-stitched the liner notes.
• Spring Unleashes Inner Mr(s). Clean
  Commentator Laura Lorson says there's just something about the creeping of temperatures into the mid-60s that sets off a strange chain reaction in her. The gene for spring cleaning that she is confident resides only on the X chromosome is somehow activated. Can she refinish the kitchen cabinets? Yes she Can! Can she drag herself away from reruns of NCIS to repot the houseplants? Yes she can!
• With Jobs Scarce, Soldiers Re-Enlist
  This recession is forcing U.S. military personnel into some hard decisions. When jobs are scarce, it's tougher to let go of that military paycheck and the benefits that come with it.
• Pill For Alcoholism May Also Dampen Urge To Steal
  For people with kleptomania, stealing can provide an intense high or rush. But a new study says that a pill long used to treat alcoholism may also take the thrill out of stealing. It may help people with kleptomania overcome what can feel like an uncontrollable need to steal.
• WNBA Draftee Determined To Pay Back Oklahoma
  Oklahoma University's Courtney Paris, drafted Thursday by the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs, vowed to repay her scholarship if the Sooners lost the national championship. They did. The university wouldn't take her money, but Paris tells Michele Norris she still wants "to do something special."

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