All Things Considered for April 21, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Tax debate pits Senate vs. House vs. Pawlenty
Senate Democrats want to raise income taxes on every Minnesotan for five years to help balance the state's budget. Their plan differs from a tax increase plan from House DFLers, and both proposals face an almost certain veto from Gov. Pawlenty.5:20 p.m.
Minnesota companies' outlook varied as the industries
Several prominent companies with headquarters or major operations in Minnesota are reporting lower quarterly earnings today. The view of the economy from the companies' corner offices was as varied as their industries.5:24 p.m.
Consumer confidence murky amid up-and-down economy
Experts are looking for positive economic signs, especially from consumers. Consumer spending makes up a whopping 70 percent of the economy, but right now you might have trouble figuring out what's going on with them.5:50 p.m.
Overall crime rates down in Minneapolis
Overall crime is down in the city of Minneapolis, however, some parts of town have seen increases in burglaries, arson and larceny.5:54 p.m.
Twin Cities hosts two new marathons this spring
While the economy has been hobbled, Minnesotans are off and running like never before this spring, literally. The gun will sound on two new marathons next month, one in Minneapolis and another in Stillwater.6:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Harman 'Outraged' Over Alleged Wiretapping
News organizations have reported this week that Rep. Jane Harman was recorded agreeing to seek lenient treatment for two men accused of espionage in exchange for political help. Harman tells NPR she's "outraged" that she may have been wiretapped and calls for the release of transcripts of any calls recorded.
Supreme Court Hears School Strip Search Case
The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether a school violated the constitutional rights of a 13-year-old girl when officials strip-searched her, looking for prescription-strength ibuprofen. They were acting on a tip from a classmate.
Prosecution Of Pirate Raises Many Questions
The surviving Somali pirate from the thwarted hijacking of the Maersk Alabama was to be charged Tuesday in U.S. federal court. Stephen Rademaker, former assistant secretary of state for international security, talks about how the government might makes its case.
Judging A Book (Bag) By Its Cover
Worn-out books often just get tossed in the trash. But artist Caitlin Phillips recycles some unwanted books by cutting out the pages and using the covers to make unusual purses. Turning classic books into fashion items, however, poses challenges that are both aesthetic and ethical.
Banks May Face More TARP Hurdles
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told a panel overseeing the Troubled Asset Relief Plan that regulators may want to keep banks in the program longer than the banks might wish. It depends in large part on how much credit banks make available to borrowers.
Jobless In Washington: Dad, Daughter Wait, Fret
In January, Gary and Rachel Peterson learned the sawmill in Aberdeen, Wash., where they worked was closing. It's now April, and their next moves are still unclear — but their worry about each other has only gotten more intense.
Medical Student Charged In Craigslist Killing
A Boston medical student named Philip Markoff has been accused of fatally shooting a woman who placed an ad on Craigslist.org. Authorities say they linked the 22-year-old to the killing partly though surveillance video and computer evidence.
Stone Soup: Three Cookbooks For Lean Times
There's no reason not to eat well, even in tough economic times. Three cookbooks conjure deliciously simple dinners from the most ordinary of ingredients.
Madera Limpia: Growing Up In Guantanamo
The two Cuban singers and rappers grew up in a remote town poised between the Castro regime and an American military base. Their debut album, La Corona, is full of the struggles and passions of their peers — set to some of the freshest new sounds from the island.
Interrogation Policymakers Might Still Face Charges
President Obama said Tuesday that Justice Department officials who authorized harsh interrogation techniques are not immune from prosecution. Obama also said he could support a bipartisan inquiry into Bush-era detention policies.