Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota drops in some economic rankings
  Twin Cities home sales are down about 15 percent from a year ago. The news comes on the heels of somewhat troubling reports about the state economy.4:18 p.m.
• Minneapolis joins Muslim community developers to offer new financing
  The City of Minneapolis is joining with the African Development Center to offer a new financing option for small businesses, aimed primarily at Muslims.4:22 p.m.
• Bourne's "Edward Scissorhands" is not cutting-edge
  Choreographer Matthew Bourne does not believe dance has to be an acquired taste. Bourne is a Tony Award-winner who's filled theaters worldwide with his productions of "The Car Man," "Swan Lake" and "Cinderella." He's brought his latest dance theater piece, "Edward Scissorhands," to St. Paul.4:54 p.m.
• Bell is basking in honors and busking in subways
  In the space of a few days, violinist Joshua Bell has received a prestigious award, earned lots of press after busking in a Washington, DC Metro station and packed his bags for a European tour with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. He tells Minnesota Public Radio's Julie Amacher all about it.4:58 p.m.
• Wyoming to Breckenridge: "Hands off our logo"
  The western Minnesota school district has decided to phase out the logo rather than fight a trademark infringement accusation by the state of Wyoming.5:22 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Don Imus and the Full Cost of Offense
  Like those who have spoken offensively before him, radio host Don Imus will pay a price that has yet to be fully seen for his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
• FCC Announces Details of Payola Settlement
  The Federal Communications Commission announces details of a settlement with four of the nation's largest radio broadcasters — Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Citadel and Entercom — over payola, the practice of accepting payment from record labels to air their artists without disclosing the arrangement to listeners.
• Joshua Bell's 'Voice of the Violin'
  Tom Manoff reviews the CD by violinist Joshua Bell called Voice and Violin. He says the CD explores some famous pieces in classical music — like "Song to the Moon" from Dvorak and Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise" — that take on the lyrical play between fiddle and voice.
• At World Bank, Wolfowitz Sees Controversy Bloom
  Allegations of preferential treatment for World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz's girlfriend, who also works for the agency, have fueled a controversy involving questions about ethics and secrecy. Shaha Riza has been promoted and was given significant pay raises at the Bank.
• MSNBC Cuts Don Imus Show as Advertisers Flee
  MSNBC says it will no longer simulcast Don Imus' radio show. The cable TV network has had a strong following for the morning program. But Imus' use of a racial slur last week, while discussing the Rutgers University women's basketball team, brought heavy and persistent criticism. Earlier today, several major advertisers announced they are pulling their ads.
• Bird Sounds Recorded from Far Afield
  Listener Jonathan Meiburg traveled far to find caracaras and albatrosses.
• A Concert Violinist on the Metro?
  Violinist Joshua Bell talks to Michele Norris about a stunt The Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten put him up to. In January, Bell played for morning commuters at a metro station in Washington, D.C.
• For Bangladeshi, U.S. Deportation Could Mean Death
  A Bangladeshi man who used to sell televisions at a Circuit City store in Los Angeles is fighting deportation back to his home country. He faces execution for his role in a 1975 coup which led to the assassination of Bangladesh's first president. Mohiuddin Ahmed, a former diplomat, was tried in absentia.
• Thompson Announces He Has Lymphoma
  Fred Thompson, TV actor and former senator, announced today that he has a form of lymphoma, but that his cancer is in remission. The 64-year-old from Tennessee left the door open for a possible 2008 presidential bid. He is already among the leading candidates in polls of Republican voters.
• From Law to Acting to the Senate: Fred Thompson
  For more on Fred Thompson and his political ambitions, Michele Norris talks with Marc Ambinder, associate editor of The Hotline. Ambinder says he puts the odds of Thompson entering the presidential race at 60 to 40. The Republican field so far has left some voters uninspired, Ambinder says, so Thompson could win significant support by just joining the race.
• Intelligence Chief McConnell Calls for Changes
  National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell, who took over the 16 U.S. spy agencies less than three months ago, is signaling he wants a more aggressive posture for his office. McConnell says the country's surveillance law needs to be updated, what he calls a 100-day plan to accelerate intelligence reform.
• U.S. Accuses Iran of Arming Iraqi Insurgents
  For the first time, the U.S. military today accused Iranian intelligence of providing weapons and support to Sunni insurgents in Iraq. Over the past few months, the United States has, on several occasions, accused Iran of smuggling weapons into Iraq, mostly for the use of Shiite militias. U.S. spokesmen now say the weapons are going to both Sunni and Shiite militants.
• Dice-K and Fenway: Fans Hope for New Magic
  Pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka, also known as Dice-K, has brought a whole new level of hype to Boston Red Sox fans. The team has committed $103 million for Matsuzaka to play for the club. Today, he makes his home debut at Fenway Park.
• Citigroup Cuts Include 6 Percent of New York Staff
  Citigroup announces a sweeping overhaul of its operations as it tries to reduce costs under pressure from investors. The financial-services giant, which employs more than 325,000 people around the world, is cutting around 16,000 jobs. Some cuts will likely come from attrition, and some jobs may be shifted overseas.
• Duke Community Hopes for Brighter Days
  The North Carolina Attorney General's office has dropped all remaining charges against three former Duke lacrosse players accused of rape. While the story received continuous attention on campus, many students feel that the "Duke brand" will persevere — along with a stronger awareness about issues of class and race.

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