Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Firefighters get a break in the weather, but no rain soon for Gunflint Trail
  Almost a week after it began, the fire in Minnesota's parched north woods had grown to nearly 47 square miles, with another 39 burning in Canada.4:50 p.m.
• Low water levels could make for fishing opener surprises
  Minnesota's fishing opener comes at a time when many lakes are suffering from record low water levels. That could cause problems for some anglers.4:54 p.m.
• MPR poll on gas tax: Five cents... maybe
  The results come as state lawmakers are debating a new transportation funding plan that would use a nickel a gallon increase to pay for roads and bridges. Gov. Pawlenty is threatening to veto the bill.5:14 p.m.
• Minnesota poised to ban smoking
  Early Saturday morning, the Minnesota House passed a bill that would ban smoking in all bars and restaurants across the state. Gov. Pawlenty says he'll sign it. The bill's passage comes after a day of doubt about whether there were enough votes to get it to Gov. Pawlenty's desk.5:20 p.m.
• Senate backs long-sought amendment for environment, arts
  The state Senate has approved a constitutional amendment that will ask voters to approve a small increase in the state sales tax, to pay for protection of hunting and fishing habitats, as well as lake and river cleanup, and arts and cultural programs.5:24 p.m.
• 3M and MPCA agree on waste cleanup plan
  3M has agreed to dig up virtually all of its PFC waste from three of its former disposal sites in the east metro, and put the material in a lined facility where it would not longer pose a threat to the environment. Those sites include 3M's production plant in Cottage Grove.5:50 p.m.
• People in NEED
  Minneapolis-based NEED Magazine aims to tell the stories of humanitarian organizations and the people those organizations serve around the world.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Va. Tech Honors Shooting Victims at Graduation
  Virginia Tech holds its graduation day, less than a month after a gunman shot and killed 32 people on campus before turning the gun on himself. The ceremonies paid tribute to the victims, 27 of whom were honored with degrees.
• Catalina Fire Forces Evacuations, Fears for Wildlife
  A massive wildfire on Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles, has forced hundreds of people to evacuate. It now threatens the resort town of Avalon, as well as several threatened or endangered species, including a rare island fox that only recently has been making a comeback.
• Wolfowitz Case May Unsettle World Bank Routine
  The World Bank committee investigating the bank's president, Paul Wolfowitz, is preparing its final report on whether Wolfowitz broke bank rules in arranging a pay raise for his girlfriend at the bank. But the way the agency operates will likely be changed whether Wolfowitz stays or leaves.
• States Ban Catfish Imports From China Over Tests
  Catfish imports from China are causing economic and health concerns in the South. Tests on some frozen catfish fillets from China have found two antibiotics banned by the Food and Drug Administration. Aside from any threat to health, the imports have also been a threat to the economy of the Mississippi Delta.
• Gunman Prompts Question of Forced Treatment
  More than a year before the Virginia Tech shootings, Seung-Hui Cho appeared on the radar of state mental-health officials. He was ordered to get psychiatric help but it's unclear whether he did. State mental health officials say that they are determined to adapt Virginia's mental health system.
• Fort Dix Suspects Skirted Law Enforcement
  The Duka brothers, two of the men accused of plotting an attack on Fort Dix, were able to keep their illegal immigration status unknown — despite their multiple contacts with authorities. They owned homes and got driver's licenses; one was also arrested for marijuana possession.
• Fanny Ardant Rekindles Love's Flames in 'Paris'
  Fanny Ardant is not a household name here in the United States, but in France she is a superstar. The 58-year-old actress appears in a new film Paris, Je T'aime, which is comprised of 18 vignettes about life in Paris.
• Iraqi Cleric's Timetable Petition Gains Support
  Supporters of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are circulating a petition demanding that the Baghdad government seek a timetable from Washington — something Democrats on Capitol Hill are urging, as well. So far, slightly more than half of Iraq's 275 parliament members have signed the petition.
• Judge Refuses Bail for Fort Dix Suspects
  A federal judge in New Jersey has ordered that the six young immigrants arrested for plotting an attack on Fort Dix be kept in detention. At a hearing, most of the men waived their rights to argue for bail. But their lawyers took the opportunity to say the men are not radical Islamic terrorists, as prosecutors have said.
• The Wide Scope of the 'Encyclopedia of Life'
  Robert Siegel talks with E.O. Wilson about the Encyclopedia of Life. Wilson is part of the new project, which is a collection of information and multimedia about every living thing on the planet.
• Democrats Rise Along with Emanuel's Ideas
  He's been called smart and aggressive and a whole lot of other things we can't repeat. Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel used all those qualities to spur Democrats to victory in the midterm elections. Now, he's No. 4 in the party leadership and head of the Democratic caucus.
• Long-Lost Charm Bracelet Finds Its Old Owner
  Recently, All Things Considered aired a commentary about a charm bracelet that, 20 years ago, inadvertently found its way into the wrong bag because of airport security. Now, one of our listeners has helped us connect the charm bracelet with its owner. Michele Norris talks with the bracelet's current owner, and the woman who lost it.
• Broken Borders? CBS Lambastes, Hires Dobbs
  Lou Dobbs of CNN has a strident style that earned him a skeptical profile on last Sunday's 60 Minutes. CBS's Lesley Stahl challenged whether Dobbs could any longer be considered a journalist. But CBS News has now hired him to be a regular commentator for its troubled Early Show.
• NASCAR's Earnhardt Leaves Family Team
  NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has announced that he's leaving his current team - Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. It's the team that Earnhardt, Jr.'s father, founded before dying in a crash in 2001. Michele Norris talks with Wall Street Journal sportswriter Stefan Fatsis.
• The Movers and Swappers of Cuba on the Prado
  Housing is free in Cuba — but those wanting to move must find someone to swap homes, because there is no system of renting or buying. Every day on the Prado, people who want to move meet to see whether they can find someone who wants to switch homes.

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