Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Former U.N. chief, Macalester grad Kofi Annan honored with statue
  Kofi Annan made an appearance at Macalester College in St. Paul today. The former United Nations Secretary General, who graduated from Macalester in 1961, was honored with the unveiling of a life-sized bronze bust.4:49 p.m.
• Sheriff: Hausers possibly headed to Mexico for treatment
  The Brown County Sheriff says 13-year-old Daniel Hauser and his mother Colleen are possibly in or headed to Mexico seeking treatment of Daniel's Hodgkin's lymphoma.5:16 p.m.
• Gang Strike Force funding cut off after critical audit
  Minnesota's Public Safety Commissioner says he will cut off funding for the Metro Gang Strike Force after a legislative audit revealed that the organization couldn't account for thousands of dollars in cash and vehicles.5:20 p.m.
• Kushner's play -- is it ready for its premiere?
  Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner is opening a new play at the Guthrie Theater on Friday. But is it really ready?5:23 p.m.
• Warsame pleads guilty in deal with government
  A former Minneapolis man who's been imprisoned for more than five years awaiting trial on terrorism charges has struck a plea deal with the U.S. government.5:43 p.m.
• Officer who killed Fong Lee testifies about shooting
  Lawyers for the family of Fong Lee are questioning Minneapolis police officer Jason Andersen in federal court today. Andersen killed Fong Lee in 2006, and the family has filed suit against him.5:50 p.m.
• Young composer Nico Muhly draws wide range of fans
  Nico Muhly isn't 30 years old yet, but the protege of Phillip Glass is already recognized as a major force in contemporary classical music. Tonight and tomorrow he will perform a program of chamber music at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Prayer May Reshape Your Brain ... And Your Reality
  Scans show that people who spend untold hours in prayer or meditation go dark in the parietal lobe, the brain area that helps create a sense of self. A researcher says these people may be rewriting the neural connections in their brains — altering how they see the world.
• NASA Rover Stuck In Flourlike Martian Soil
  On Mars, a little rover named Spirit has gotten stuck in alien soil. Two weeks ago, its wheels dug into the Martian soil and became trapped. With two wheels not fully functioning, scientists are worried that they may not be able to free the rover.
• West Bank Settlers Vow To Continue Building
  In an effort to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, the Obama administration is calling for a halt to expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. But settlers insist that diplomatic efforts won't deter them. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government is not inclined to impose a moratorium.
• Did White House OK Earliest Detainee Abuse?
  Abusive interrogation techniques were used on Abu Zubaydah in the months between his capture and the first Justice Department memo authorizing harsh interrogations. A new document shows that the White House may have authorized those techniques.
• What Are Obama's Options On Guantanamo?
  Ken Gude, a national security analyst with the Center for American Progress, outlines issues facing the Obama administration as it struggles to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.
• Credit Card Bill Heads To Obama's Desk
  Congress sent President Obama a bill Wednesday that seeks to rein in credit card fees and interest rates. But one result of the measure is that card companies' best customers may wind up paying more.
• Charging Ahead With The Credit Card Bill
  Congress has passed a bill that would enact sweeping new restrictions on the credit card industry. The bill does away with arbitrary rate hikes and bans issuing cards to minors.
• Sex Offenders Forced To Live Under Miami Bridge
  Sex offenders with few resources who want to stay in Miami have just one option: an encampment of tents and shacks under a causeway. What began as a stopgap solution to a city ordinance limiting where offenders can live has become de facto public policy.
• How Can Vick Get Beyond Dogfighting Issue?
  Suspended pro football star Michael Vick left prison Wednesday after 19 months for two months of home confinement. Vick, sentenced for financing an illegal dogfighting ring, still has a major PR problem. Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, talks with Melissa Block.
• NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. Struggling
  Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of NASCAR's best known and most-liked drivers. But he's having a terrible year. Some in the sport have begun to question his talent.

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