Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Reflections from a conservative African-American
  Actor Joseph C. Phillips, a conservative African-American, finds himself at odds with popular notions of how black Americans are supposed to speak and think. He discusses his views in his new book, "He Talk Like a White Boy: Reflections on Faith, Family, Politics and Authenticity."4:19 p.m.
• Unemployment report provides early campaign fodder
  The five-year low is a cause for celebration for Gov. Tim Pawlenty who touted it Tuesday as another sign of an economy on the right track.5:20 p.m.
• Stolen computers hold private data
  Three computers stolen from the state auditor's office last week contain private data of about 2,400 people. The information was part of a sampling for audit purposes. It pertains to local government employees and program recipients from 19 public entities. The state auditor's office says social security numbers were the most sensitive type of data. Five-hundred people's Social Security numbers were on the computers.5:46 p.m.
• Jamming with John Williams and Dean Magraw
  St Paul based guitarist Dean Magraw, and Chicago-based accordianist John Williams have a new album of celtic music. It's called "Raven." The two musicians have played together regularly but never released a CD, so it's eagerly awaited by their fans.6:17 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• When an Athlete Gets Hurt in the Off-Season
  A professional quarterback's motorcycle accident is raising some question about players' contracts. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger crashed his motorcycle Monday, at a time when he was neither wearing a helmet or legally allowed to drive a motorcycle.
• Thousands of Police Hit Baghdad's Streets
  More than 40,000 Iraqi forces, along with U.S. troops, are involved in a security sweep of the nation's capital, as a much-ballyhooed security operation begins in Baghdad. For many Iraqis, the most immediate result of the huge police presence has been huge traffic jams.
• Bush Praises Iraq's New Leader;
  President Bush talked today about his meetings in Baghdad with the new Iraqi government. Fresh from his surprise visit to the Iraqi capital, the President held a previously unannounced news conference in the White House Rose Garden.
• In Tragedy, When Is Humor Inappropriate?
  Fifteen years ago, a doctor in an emergency room ordered a pizza. But the delivery guy arrived without a pizza -- because he had been mugged and shot. The doctors worked to save his life, but he died. Then they went out to find the pizza he'd dropped -- and they ate it. Then, they told some jokes.
• Boring Beetle Ignites Conservationist Concerns
  The Emerald Ash Borer beetle is invading the Midwest. The small green Chinese bug has been eating its way through Michigan, where more than 15 million trees have been devastated over the past few years. Now, it's been found in Illinois.
• Cleaning House, and Cherishing Memories
  Housecleaning is a necessary evil. But at what point do mementoes become clutter -- and when should the memories of a home be taken out to the curb? Commentator Marion Winik pondered those questions recently when she helped clean out her mother's house.
• After School, Kids' Workloads Grow Heavier
  Over the past few years, kids' after-school schedules have become increasingly packed with organized extracurricular activities. Michele Norris talks with three fourth-graders and their principal about the downsides and benefits of a packed schedule.
• Bush Ties His Legacy to Iraq
  President Bush's uncompromising stance following his trip to Baghdad may make him a hostage to history, says NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr. Bush's entire legacy rests with the Iraq war.
• FEMA Paid $1.5 Billion in False Aid, Report Says
  A report from the Government Accountability Office says FEMA wrongly paid out nearly $1.5 billion in assistance to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Congressional investigators found numerous examples of waste and abuse and say nearly 16 percent of monies paid out was unwarranted.
• Health Services Secretary Faces Travel Inquiry
  Members of Congress are looking at whether Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt acted appropriately in using a private jet meant for public health emergencies to promote the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
• New Orleans, Camaraderie Lives On
  Commentator Andrei Codrescu wanders around his adopted city of New Orleans, encountering the twisted and romantic moods of his fellow citizens and visitors. He proceeds to places he has known for years, and finds out at one bar, Molly's, that a free drink awaits him. It was bought by someone who came in months before.
• Illinois Lawyer Accused of Selling Vacant Property
  A disbarred lawyer in Berwyn, Ill., a Chicago suburb, has been arrested and charged with selling vacant properties that belonged to churches and other non-profits -- all without their consent. Philip Radmer is accused of a scam which allegedly made him more than $650,000. Robert Siegel talks with Robert Becker of The Chicago Tribune; the paper's coverage helped lead to Radmer's arrest.
• Guardsmen Return to Vermont from Iraq, Slowly
  About 400 members of the Vermont National Guard are back on U.S. soil after spending more than a year in Iraq. They're processing their experiences together, and talking with psychologists at Camp Shelby before returning to their families.
• Debating the Protocols of Flag Day
  On Flag Day, Robert Siegel and Michele Norris explore the issue surrounding several states' decision to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff to honor servicemen and -women on the day they are buried. Michigan is doing just that, as are at least 12 other states. We speak to an 81-year-old veteran who opposes the lowering of the flag because such an action was not taken in earlier conflicts.
• Bill Hints at Permanent U.S. Base in Iraq
  Congress is finalizing a special spending bill that covers the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At one time, both the House and Senate versions of the bill said none of the money could be spent on permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. But that language no longer appears in the final version being approved this week by both chambers.

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