Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Did "gravity waves" enhance last weekend's wind event in Minnesota and Iowa?
  There was something strange about the strong winds that lashed southern Minnesota last weekend. Such high wind speeds are usually accompanied by strong thunderstorms. But thunderstorms weren't a part of this particular event. Another possible cause: gravity waves.3:48 p.m.
• The ABCs of hepatitis
  Hepatitis A closed down a restaurant in Slayton, Minnesota, last week when three of its employees contracted the disease. Medical analyst Dr. Jon Hallberg explains the different strains of hepatitis, and how to prevent infection.4:44 p.m.
• Sherman Alexie takes a swipe at violence
  Author Sherman Alexie isn't shy about sharing. He's a prolific writer whose novels and short stories often describe the paradoxes of life as a Native American in the 21st century. Alexie says he's been thinking lately about violence. What resulted is a book of gritty fantasy called "Flight" which is about a young man named "Zits.'4:51 p.m.
• Pawlenty surveys wildfire in northeast Minnesota
  People whose property went up in smoke in one of Minnesota's most damaging wildfires in years were supposed to get their first look at the damage Tuesday. Then, the wind shifted and they were forced to leave again.5:19 p.m.
• U of M researcher trapped by Gunflint fire
  While the Ham Lake fire may have started just outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, there were three campers in the BWCA who got trapped by the wind and flames.5:24 p.m.
• Specialty schools in Sioux Falls offer new choices
  Five of the cities' older schools will offer a curriculum focused on math and science, technology and arts. The idea is to give families some new choices and help the schools compete for enrollment.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Rebuilding After a Kansas Tornado
  As the cleanup and rebuilding efforts get under way after Friday's Category 5 tornado devastated Greensburg, Kan., residents of a nearby town recall a similar trial they faced. Longtime residents of Udall, Kan., saw their town hit by a monster twister in 1955. Michele Norris talks with Jerrold Hoffman, 72.
• Florida Joins Crackdown on Campaign 'Robo-Calls'
  In the most recent election, the widespread use of automated phone calls known as "robo-calls" — often in negative campaigning — led to many voter complaints. Florida is among some 20 U.S. states that are now considering restricting their use.
• Military Opens Hearings on Haditha Killings
  Hearings open on what military prosecutors are calling the massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians by U.S. Marines outside the town of Haditha. First up is Capt. Randy Stone, one of four officers charged with failing to investigate and report the deaths in November 2005.
• Wolfowitz Scandal May Spark Wider Changes
  The World Bank Executive Board may decide as early as this week whether to ask Paul Wolfowitz to resign as Bank president. Meanwhile, the controversy prompted initially by Wolfowitz's arrangement of a pay raise for his girlfriend has led to questions over whether the United States should retain the privilege of naming the Bank president.
• Mexico Bares Its Liberal Side, and More
  Mexico City broke a record Sunday, when more than 18,000 people went to the central square and took off their clothes for a Spencer Tunick picture. It's no surprise that this capital was a record breaker; Mexico City is being reborn and rebranded.
• Six Accused of Plot to Attack Fort Dix
  Six foreign-born Muslims have been arrested for plotting an attack on the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey. Investigators say the men planned to "kill as many soldiers as possible." An employee of a video-transfer business alerted authorities after the men wanted a suspicious tape converted to DVD.
• Venturing Back on the Market with American Elms
  The American elm tree was decimated in the 20th century by Dutch elm disease. But the tree may be making a comeback in America in the very near future, thanks to Roger Holloway. The nurseryman from Georgia has been raising disease-resistant elms, specifically the Princeton elm, for the past 10 years.
• Tornado Victims in Kansas Still Reel from Storm
  Residents of Greensburg, Kan., continue to sift through what's left of their town in the wake of a massive, killer tornado that forecasters say was the biggest to hit the United States in eight years. One more death from the tornado was recorded Tuesday, as a police officer who suffered a head injury in the storm was removed from life support.
• Catching Terrorism Plotters in the Act
  The Department of Justice announced the arrest of six Islamic militants in connection with a plot to attack the Fort Dix Army Base. Robert Siegel talks with Michael Isikoff of Newsweek magazine about the way that previous domestic terrorism plots in recent years have been uncovered.
• N. Ireland's Power-Sharing Brings New Hope
  Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders from opposite sides of the political spectrum in Northern Ireland have been sworn in as members of a new power-sharing government, in a move aimed at putting an end to violence.
• Spirit of Invention Defines Björk's 'Volta'
  The Icelandic singer Björk has a new CD out called Volta. Reviewer Will Hermes describes it as highly energetic and creative. He speaks to Björk about her work, which includes African harp music and collaborations with pop producer Timbaland.
• Senate Debates Immigration Issue, Bills
  Senate Democrats are taking preliminary steps toward an immigration bill this week, although the obstacles remain daunting. The biggest roadblock is that there is no agreement yet on just what bill the Senate should take up.
• Making Rocks Under Pressure
  Our SoundClips series continues with listener Codi Lazar, who tells us about the sounds he hears every day in a UCLA geology lab, where pressure pumps are used to create rocks.
• L.A. Police Dept. Moves Quickly to Discipline Officers
  Two high-ranking Los Angeles police officers have been reassigned to positions of lesser authority in the wake of last week's clash at an immigration rally in MacArthur Park. LAPD Chief William Bratton has also taken 60 members of the department's elite Metro Unit off the street, pending an investigation of their actions at the rally.
• Citigroup Ponies Up $50 Billion to Fund Green Projects
  Citigroup Inc., the largest U.S. bank, says it plans to commit $50 billion to environmental projects over the next decade. The amount is the biggest commitment yet from Wall Street to address climate change.

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