Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• U of M Regents prepared to support light-rail plan
  The University of Minnesota is poised to sign on to an agreement to build a street level light rail line through campus.2:45 p.m.
• How a Vietnamese-Australian became an American literary sensation
  Critics have been showering accolades on short story writer Nam Le for his first book, "The Boat."2:49 p.m.
• Austin residents taking flood waters in stride
  The City of Austin is slowly filling up with water, but this time, the city is prepared. Austin is experiencing its eleventh major flood in the past 30 years.3:19 p.m.
• Long waiting list for public housing gets longer
  Officials with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority say they expect more than 15,000 people to apply for Section 8 housing vouchers by the end of the week.3:23 p.m.
• Dancing for the land beneath their feet
  Ananya Dance Theater's new dance 'Daak,' or 'Call to Action,' takes a closer look at the land we stand on.3:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Boy Scouts Aided One Another in Wake of Tornado
  In Western Iowa, Boy Scouts who helped their fellow scouts survive a powerful tornado at a gathering last night are being hailed as heroes today for their quick thinking and first aid efforts. The tornado killed four scouts at the camp and injured dozens. NPR's Michele Norris talks with reporter Michael Marek about the tragedy.
• China Continues Recovery, Rebuilding Effort
  One month ago, a 7.9 magnitude quake struck China's Sichuan Province, killing at least 69,000 people. Some 18,000 are still missing. While there was praise for China's initial response, now the longer, harder part of rebuilding is slowing: Long-term housing is needed, with 5 million people homeless.
• Judge in Obscenity Trial Linked to Porn Web Page
  An obscenity trial scheduled to begin this week in Los Angeles was halted after it was discovered that the judge for the trial had uploaded sexually explicit images to a personal Web site bearing his name.
• In Italy, Bush Calls for Tough Stand on Iran
  President Bush, at a news conference in Rome Thursday, reiterated the need for a tough stand on Iran's nuclear program. Iran and Italy are major trading partners and the issue is a sticking point between Bush and his ally, Italian Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
• High Court Deals Setback to Bush Guantanamo Plans
  Foreign terrorism suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have rights under the U.S. Constitution to challenge their detention in civilian courts, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The decision is another setback for the Bush administration over its treatment of prisoners being held indefinitely and without charges at Guantanamo.
• For Latino Voters, Obama Has Catching Up to Do
  Hispanic Democrats have warned Sen. Barack Obama he risks losing the Latino vote in the general election. His Republican rival John McCain has already made some inroads with Latinos. Obama's national Latino vote director met with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus today.
• Gates to NATO: Send More Troops to Afghanistan
  The future of NATO's role in Afghanistan and Kosovo was on the agenda at the alliance's annual ministerial meeting in Brussels Thursday. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates again prodded NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, NATO has agreed to begin training security forces in Kosovo later this year.
• Rabbits to Be Respected, if Not Admired
  People tend to underestimate the courage and determination of small, furry animals, especially notoriously timid ones like rabbits. Commentator Julie Zickefoose says her work as a naturalist and writer is to notice things, and a small tuft of rabbit fur on the ground led her to some surprising discoveries.
• Obama Campaign Opens Anti-Smear Web Site
  Barack Obama's presidential campaign has launched a Web site called Fight the Smears. The site is a response to continuing viral efforts to peg Obama as a Muslim or a dangerous radical. It's part of the increasing role of the Internet in campaigns — political and business — and the ability of anonymous activists to spread rumors literally everywhere at once.
• Bud, an American Icon, Pursued by Belgian Firm
  America's "King of Beers" may wind up in the hands of a Belgian brewer. InBev has made a $46 billion bid for Anheuser-Busch, brewer of Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob. If the deal goes through, InBev would become the world's largest brewer, adding the iconic American brands to a lineup that includes Stella Artois and Beck's. But the deal is a long way from being final.
• China Tightens Control on Corruption, Quake Stories
  After allowing an initial openness when a deadly and powerful quake struck China's Sichuan Province, government officials tightened access for news media publishing stories about the corruption that led to the collapse of so many schools.
• Trip Illuminates Life on Bases Across Afghan Desert
  On a four-day journey across a network of bases in southern Afghanistan, NPR's Ivan Watson and David Gilkey experience what life is like for troops in the war-torn country. It's a life of largely primitive conditions, interminable dust and scorching heat.
• Celtics-Lakers as Seen by Two Former Rivals
  With the Lakers having struck back Tuesday in the NBA finals, the historic rivalry between Los Angeles and Boston is again hot. This is the 11th time the two teams have met in the finals. Former Celtics player and coach K.C. Jones, and former Laker Mychal Thompson talk about the series and the rivalry.
• South Korea Protests Target U.S. Beef, Closer Ties
  South Korean protesters took to the streets this week, angry over a new trade deal that would allow the importation of U.S. beef. Fears of mad cow disease prompted a ban on U.S. beef several years ago. South Korean trade officials visiting Washington this week are hoping to reach a compromise that will calm fears at home.
• Bush Impeachment Derailed, but Echoes Remain
  A House resolution to impeach President Bush on the grounds he took America to war under false pretenses, proposed by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), has failed to progress. The process brings to mind presidents and impeachment — and how political opponents use the tool.

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