Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Stadium bills still face tough road at Capitol
  Republicans in the House say Democrats are trying to make Gov. Pawlenty look bad by killing a stadium for the Minnesota Twins. And some members of the public say it's just fine if lawmakers can't agree on a stadium for the Twins or Vikings.5:18 p.m.
• Suburban poverty on the rise
  Twin Cities suburban counties are experiencing a problem usually associated with inner cities or rural areas -- an alarming increase in poverty rates. That's the finding of a new assessment by economic assistance officials in Dakota County. That county has the most dramatic example of a trend occurring throughout the seven-county metro region, where populations are increasing, but public assistance caseloads are rising even faster. Dakota county's Director of Economic Assistance, Ruth Kruger, says its inevitable for suburbs to become more economically diverse.5:24 p.m.
• Rising gas costs ending sprawl?
  At one point lower gasoline prices allowed families to afford a nice home out in the country and not pay an arm and leg for fuel to get to Minneapolis or St. Paul for work. But has $3 gas changed that equation?5:48 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Gary Shteyngart Chronicles Life in 'Absurdistan'
  Gary Shteyngart came to the United States in 1979 as a 7 year old Soviet-Jewish kid. He left behind a life of childhood bliss to become a self-described depressive nerd. He's all grown up now, and his new novel, Absurdistan, imagines an oil-rich country run by kleptocrats and oil giants.
• U.S. Has No Option but to Make Deal With Iran
  Despite the Bush administration's dismissal of the letter from Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Washington has no option but to try to make a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program.
• Columnist Weighs in on Blair's Woes
  Robert Siegel talks with Matthew Parris, columnist for the Times of London and former conservative member of Parliament, about the woes of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Putin Accuses West of 'Outdated Prejudices'
  Russian President Vladimir Putin takes a swipe at Western critics in his State of the Nation speech Wednesday, accusing them of hanging on to outdated prejudices. His remarks seemed to be a response to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who last week accused Russia of using its energy reserves as "tools of intimidation or blackmail."
• Abe Rosenthal, Former 'N.Y. Times' Editor, Dies
  Abe Rosenthal -- known by his New York Times byline A.M. Rosenthal -- has died. He was 84. Rosenthal spent about 17 years as the demanding top editor for the Times starting in the 1970s and 1980s. But he spent more than 50 years at the paper, guiding it into one of the most respected newspapers in the world. Rosenthal had a stroke two weeks ago and never recovered.
• Federal Judge Abandons Bench for Boeing
  A federal judge who had been considered a likely nominee to the Supreme Court is quitting the bench to become general counsel Boeing. Judge Michael Luttig, a hero to many conservatives, has resigned from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va.
• Progress in Iraq Reroutes U.S. Troops
  One brigade slated for deployment to Iraq this summer will instead be staying in Germany, courtesy of the Pentagon's reassessment of troop levels. Will political progress in Baghdad allow the Defense Department to lower U.S. force levels in the weeks ahead?
• Band Manager Gets 4 Years for Fire that Killed 100
  The former band tour manager who set off the fireworks that killed 100 people at a Rhode Island nightclub was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday. Daniel Biechele admitted that he's the one who lit the pyrotechnics that caught The Station nightclub on fire.
• Colorado Loses 'Best and Brightest' in Iraq
  Capt. Ian Weikel has been described as one of the best and brightest of Colorado Springs. Weikel was quarterback of his high school football team, a West Point graduate and a devoted Christian. Weikel, 31, was killed by an IED in Iraq on April 18.
• Denise Djokic Resuscitates Folk Classics
  Cellist Denise Djokic has recorded a warm and wonderful CD called Folk Lore. Djokic's music is inspired by folk songs such as Tarantella, an Italian folk dance that inspired Stravinsky. Tom Manoff has this music review.
• Tony Blair Hangs on as Labour Party Is Pummeled
  The British Labour Party tried to stop a damaging feud over its leadership Wednesday as an opinion poll showed the party's support falling to a 14-year low. Prime Minister Tony Blair, in office for nine years, has been under pressure from members of his own party to name a date to hand over the office to his likely successor, finance minister Gordon Brown.
• Superintendent Joins Forces to Save on Heating Costs
  Paul Knowles, the superintendent of Maine's School Administrative District 11, has seen the district's heating and electricity costs rise nearly 24 percent since last year. By joining with dozens of local organizations, he obtained a yearlong contract to provide heating oil at $2.29 a gallon.
• Iowa Town Hit Hard by Whirlpool Job Cuts
  Whirlpool Corporation says it is eliminating more than 4,000 jobs following the recent purchase of its rival, Maytag Corporation. Many of the cuts will come from the closing of plants in Newton, Iowa. Robert talks with Pete Slings, who has worked at Maytag for 20 years and owns a town sports bar.
• House Expected to Approve Tax-Cut Extension
  Five years ago, Congress passed a package of tax cuts for investors who receive income from stocks, bonds and other holdings. They reduced the top tax rate to 15 percent for dividends and capital gains. The cuts were set to expire after 2008 so as to restrain their effect on future deficits, but now Republican leaders in Congress want to extend them. The House today is expected to approve the 15 percent rate for two years past 2008.
• Manual Outlines Approved Interrogation Methods
  The Army interrogation manual, which was supposed to be released in May 2005, will set the standard for all services and include a classified annex with approved interrogation techniques. Sources say that the White House and Pentagon would like to have a two-track process with the techniques, one for legal combatants and another for illegal combatants. The latter would presumably be more "strenuous."

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