Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Group raises money for charity while reviving old pianos
  Brand new pianos demand hefty prices, and used ones, though cheaper, can be an expensive hassle to move. But a St. Paul group is addressing both issues while also raising money for children.4:45 p.m.
• Minneapolis leaders sworn in, face budget problems
  Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and the 13-member City Council were sworn in Monday at City Hall, while being warned that the city's financial woes are likely to continue.5:20 p.m.
• Burnsville mayor says job creation, retention key challenges facing cities
  Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz will be sworn in as the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Tuesday, she talked with Tom Crann about what Burnsville has accomplished and what challenges cities face in the coming years.5:24 p.m.
• It's still too cold to clean up icy streets
  A couple of inches of powdery snow is in the forecast for the Twin Cities tonight, but there's no end in sight to the arctic weather that's hampering road cleanup efforts.5:50 p.m.
• Despite the cold, some cyclists still braving winter commute
  The sub-zero temperatures make roads nearly impossible to clean off, but if you thought driving a car in these conditions was hard, consider with bicycle commuters are going through.5:54 p.m.
• Group raises money for charity while reviving old pianos
  Brand new pianos demand hefty prices, and used ones, though cheaper, can be an expensive hassle to move. But a St. Paul group is addressing both issues while also raising money for children.6:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Clinton: Yemen Instability Threatens World
  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday instability in Yemen is a threat to regional and global security. The U.S. Embassy in the country has been closed for two days, as the Obama administration assesses the threats from an al-Qaida affiliate based in Yemen.
• U.S. Dilemma: Yemeni Detainees At Guantanamo
  The U.S. has been slow to return Yemenis because it doesn't think Yemen's government can effectively keep an eye on them.
• For Veterans With Burns, A Virtual Reality Aid
  Hundreds of troops are returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with extensive combat burns. Now, an Army hospital in Texas is experimenting with a virtual reality program that can distract burn victims and help alleviate some of their pain.
• Study: Ski Resorts Tell Tall Tales About Deep Snow
  Two Dartmouth professors have proved what skiers and snowboarders have long suspected: Ski resorts overreport snowfall to attract customers. But new technology might begin to hold them more accountable. The study found that resorts reported 23 percent more snow on weekends, but didn't single out specific resorts.
• Egypt Temporarily Lifts Gaza Border Restrictions
  Since Sunday, Egypt has opened the only border the Gaza Strip shares with a country other than Israel. Busloads of people have been crossing in and out of Gaza, which has been blockaded by Israel since Hamas took control there more than two years ago.
• Irish Befuddled By New Blasphemy Law
  A new blasphemy law went into effect in Ireland with the new year, and it was greeted with a certain amount of head-scratching. Uttering anything abusive about matters held sacred by any religion is now an offense punishable by a fine of some $35,000. The law was immediately challenged by atheist groups.
• Study Tries To Track Louisiana Teachers' Success
  How do you train the best teachers? Leaders at the nation's teacher education programs don't know. The state of Louisiana has decided to figure this out, and the effort is attracting national attention -- and causing some local discomfort.
• Author Of GAO Report On TSA Discusses Security
  The Obama administration called for more random searches on U.S.-bound international flights, including pat-downs for anyone flying through or from nations with terrorist activity. Stephen M. Lord, author of a Government Accountability Office report on U.S. aviation security, says security must also focus on airport perimeter and access.
• World Awaits Release Of Google Phone
  Google is set to launch its much-anticipated phone at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday. The phone, believed to be called Nexus One, has generated buzz ahead of the show in Las Vegas.
• Letters: Blackwater, Music, Warranties
  Listeners respond to a story on the dismissal of charges against Blackwater guards, the piece on recorded music and on warranties.

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