Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Writing runs in the Higgins Clark family
  Mary Higgins Clark is one of the best-selling and most prolific mystery writers of all time. And her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, has been following in her footsteps. The two authors are in the Twin Cities promoting their latest books.4:50 p.m.
• Coleman joins in call for Gonzales resignation
  Alberto Gonzales' Justice Department had considered dismissing one in four of the nation's U.S. attorneys, according to a report in the Washington Post. The Post reports former Minnesota U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger was on the list. In response to the developments, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota joined the calls for Gonzales' resignation.5:20 p.m.
• House speaker: Talks stuck in "neutral"
  With time running out in the regular legislative session Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders will continue their closed-door meetings Friday.5:24 p.m.
• Asian dust plumes heading to West Coast
  Massive plumes of dust from Asia are blowing across the Pacific Ocean. The plumes are among the largest such events on Earth, and scientists believe they might affect clouds and weather patterns. They may also play a role in global warming. MPR meteorologist Paul Huttner is tracking a new scientific mission to investigate the plumes. A link to the Pacific Dust Experiment Web site is at right.5:48 p.m.
• Minnesota Supreme Court says yes to more water treatment plants
  The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency did not violate the Clean Water Act when it gave two central towns permission to build a new wastewater treatment plant.5:50 p.m.
• Returning to Gunflint Lake
  Even as the Ham Lake fire burns into Canada, life can start getting back to normal for many of the people who live in the Gunflint Lake area. Fire officials let them return to their homes Wednesday, nearly a week after they were forced out by the Ham Lake fire.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• U.S. Soldiers Try to Bridge a Sectarian Gap in Iraq
  U.S. soldiers in one Baghdad district are caught in the middle — trying to heal the divisions between Sunni and Shia factions. Members of the 12th Cavalry, which has an outpost north of the Gazalia district, have seen violence there drop substantially.
• Secretary Spellings Defends Agency's Loan Rules
  U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has been on the defensive this month amidst a scandal about the student-loan industry, and accusations from Congress that her department has not provided sufficient oversight. Spellings says the industry is not entirely within her jurisdiction.
• S.C. Voters Weigh Giuliani's Stance on Abortion
  Coming out of the first Republican presidential debate two weeks ago in California, Rudy Giuliani was on the defensive over his conflicting and sometimes confusing message on abortion. In the second debate, the former New York City mayor was clearer and more direct.
• Chicago Schools Suffered 27 Deaths in 2006
  In Chicago, 27 school-age children died violently in the past year. Stephanie Banchero, education writer for The Chicago Tribune, tells Michele Norris that 20 students have been shot to death over the past year. The other seven were beaten, stabbed or suffocated to death.
• Wolfowitz Resigns; Officially Leaves Post in June
  Embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has resigned, in a move that will take effect in June. Until then, he is on administrative leave. Pressure on Wolfowitz to step down has grown since the release of a report on his handling of a 2005 pay raise for his girlfriend — also a bank employee.
• Whale Rescue Aims to Save Two Humpbacks
  Marine and wildlife experts launched a rescue of two humpback whales stranded in the Port of Sacramento on Thursday morning. From member station KQED, Tamara Keith reports.
• Bush Hosts Blair in White House for Final Time
  British Prime Minister Tony Blair makes what will likely be his last visit to Washington, staying at the White House. In a Rose Garden press conference, Blair and President Bush praised each other's leadership. The two stood together through the Iraq war, even as it badly damaged their political standing.
• New Norms Found in Study of American States
  How "average" or "American" is your state? The Associated Press has produced an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data that ranks the 50 states and the District of Columbia according to how closely they resemble the country's demographics.
• Microsoft Royalty Claims Help Fuel Patent Backlog
  Microsoft is claiming that 235 of its patents are being violated by distributors of free software. Fortune magazine's Roger Parloff says Microsoft has been laying the groundwork for patent claims against Linux and open-source software for some time.
• For Some, Civil Unions Gain Second-Class Stigma
  In the three years since gay marriage became a reality in Massachusetts, interest in — and enthusiasm for — civil unions has dropped off sharply in the four states that allow them. Many gay couples now view civil unions as an unacceptable substitute for marriage.
• Studies Hint at a Way to Regrow Lost Hair
  Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have found that mice make new follicles when they suffer a wound. Moreover, it's possible to increase the number of hair follicles by adding certain proteins to the skin. Researchers hope it will eventually help humans with hair-loss problems.
• Letters: Falwell's Death, Pets, and Dourness
  Michele Norris and Andrea Seabrook read from listeners' letters and e-mails. We hear feedback about our coverage of Jerry Falwell's death, about a story on pets and their owners escaping abusive relationships, and about our "dourness" index.
• Washington State's TWD: Texting While Driving
  Five states have now passed legislation that limits cell-phone use while driving. And now Washington state has gone even further by banning texting while driving, too. The new law is more about principle than action.
• Senators and White House Agree on Immigration
  Senators have reached a bipartisan deal with the White House on enacting an immigration overhaul. The measure would include procedures for border security and stronger employer sanctions, as well as a new emphasis on legal immigrants who rely on work visas as opposed to family visas.
• The Musicians of !!!: Making Their Own 'Myths'
  The nine-member band !!! has a raucous, rollicking sound, and a name that's open to interpretation. The bi-coastal band met in a dingy basement in Nashville, Tenn., to record its latest CD, Myth Takes.

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