Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Doctor chronicles disease and danger in new book
  Dr. Ross Donaldson talked to Tom Crann about his new book, "The Lassa Ward," that chronicles his time spend in Sierra Leone studying one of the world's deadliest diseases.4:45 p.m.
• Jurors told police planted gun in Mpls shooting
  Attorneys presented opening statements and called the first witnesses in a wrongful death lawsuit against a Minneapolis police officer brought by the family of Fong Lee.4:50 p.m.
• Michael Pollan spreads the word about eating food
  Journalist and food expert Michael Pollan was often asked for advice about the best things to eat. After a lot of research he came up with a seven word formula: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." Now Pollan is being told his ideas are changing lives.4:53 p.m.
• Pawlenty ready to go it alone on budget
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he'll move quickly to close a lingering $2.7 billion budget gap through a mix of spending cuts and delayed state payments.5:20 p.m.
• Medtronic to cut 1500+ jobs, 600 in Twin Cities
  Medical device maker Medtronic Inc. says it will reduce its global work force by 1,500 to 1,800, with about 600 of the jobs coming from the Twin Cities.5:24 p.m.
• Search widens for missing boy, mother evading chemo order
  A Brown County judge has issued an arrest warrant for the mother of a 13-year old boy who is refusing chemotherapy.5:43 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Assassinations On The Rise In Afghanistan
  The number of assassinations in Afghanistan is growing, particularly in Kandahar province, where Taliban militants are strong and well-organized. Dozens of politicians, government employees, activists and Muslim clerics have been targeted. The threats have halted much government and social work in Kandahar, officials say.
• Are Spiritual Encounters All In Your Head?
  Scientists suspect Moses and other religious figures were epileptic. But that doesn't mean they didn't really hear God. One researcher has created the "God helmet," which uses sensors to reproduce mystical experience by manipulating brain chemistry.
• Muzak: From The Elevator To The Future
  Muzak made its mark on American culture by producing generic-sounding songs for office buildings, retail stores and the dentist. It's been 25 years since the company stopped producing those instrumental covers and switched to providing clients mix tapes of popular recordings. Today, Muzak is still trying to shake its elevator-music reputation while trying to emerge from bankruptcy.
• Obama Launches Drive For Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
  President Obama has outlined new national standards to improve fuel efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions with regard to cars and light trucks. What does the plan entail?
• How Will Carmakers Adapt To Mileage Standards?
  Aaron Bragman, an analyst for IHS Global Insight, suggests options available to automakers who will have to design new vehicles to meet the new mileage standards. He says there will have to be changes under the hood, as well as structural changes.
• Obama's China Envoy Choice Leads A Diplomatic Life
  Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has used his diplomatic skills to tread tricky political ground in a state so conservative and Republican that even some of the rocks are red. Yet he has ventured into territory that has cheered Utah Democrats, and some will be sorry to see him leave if he's confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China.
• Expense Scandal Claims British Parliament's Speaker
  The speaker of the British parliament is resigning over his role in a scandal about the expense claims of members of parliament. Michael Martin is the first speaker to step down under pressure since a previous incumbent was forced out for taking bribes in 1695.
• 'Buried' Haitian City Braces For New Storm Season
  The Haitian city of Gonaives continues to dig out from mudslides left by a series of hurricanes last summer and fall. People have barely had time to prepare their homes for the next storm season, beginning June 1. And the dangerous conditions that led to the flooding and mudslides remain.
• Surrounded By Plastic, NICU Infants Tested For Risk
  For decades, people have been alarmed about possible effects on humans — particularly developing embryos and new babies — from plastic additives called phthalates. One doctor is studying a group of infants exposed to high levels of phthalates from the medical tubing in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.
• Toledo Mayor Seeks Volunteers For City Services
  Like many municipalities, the city of Toledo, Ohio, is suffering a financial crisis. Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is asking residents to mow the grass in parks and cemeteries, and he led by example over the weekend.

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