Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• 150-year-old letters give voice to Dakota prisoners
  For nearly 150 years, the voices of Dakota men imprisoned after the Dakota Conflict of 1862 went unheard. But the details of their imprisonment are starting to emerge, in dozens of letters written by those men and now being studied by historians in Fargo.3:50 p.m.
• In Lee's and others' stories, exhibit shows power of unexpected events
  Koua Fong Lee, who spent more than 2 1/2 years in prison before being released, is part of a new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center that spotlights how unexpected events have the power to forever alter the course of a person's life.3:54 p.m.
• DNR delay puts Mississippi River section in limbo
  The Department of Natural Resources' authority over a big portion the Mississippi River in the state has expired after the DNR missed a deadline for establishing new rules on what's called the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area.4:50 p.m.
• Author captures regional differences in whiteness
  Satirical writer Christian Lander thought he was on to a good, but probably short-lived, thing with his blog and a book called "Stuff White People Like." After spotting more examples on his book tour, he now has a regional guide to the white people of North America, called "Whiter Shades of Pale." He says most people get the joke.4:53 p.m.
• Dayton focuses on jobs with latest appointment
  Gov. Mark Dayton used his latest cabinet appointment Wednesday to focus on creating jobs, an agenda he promised to keep at the forefront of his administration.5:20 p.m.
• New head of Catholic Charities: How to end homelessness
  Catholic Charities of Minneapolis and St. Paul has selected Tim Marx, an executive with a background in affordable housing, to serve as the nonprofit's CEO. He spoke with MPR's Tom Crann about the state's goal to end homelessness.5:24 p.m.
• 150-year-old letters give voice to Dakota prisoners
  For nearly 150 years, the voices of Dakota men imprisoned after the Dakota Conflict of 1862 went unheard. But the details of their imprisonment are starting to emerge, in dozens of letters written by those men and now being studied by historians in Fargo.5:50 p.m.
• In Lee's and others' stories, exhibit shows power of unexpected events
  Koua Fong Lee, who spent more than 2 1/2 years in prison before being released, is part of a new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center that spotlights how unexpected events have the power to forever alter the course of a person's life.5:55 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Abandoned Citrus Groves Produce Problems In Fla.
  Developers who once bought groves in the hope of turning them into residential areas have abandoned them in the post-housing-boom economy. Now, the groves have become breeding grounds for pests and diseases that threaten the rest of the state's citrus crops.
• Obama, Hu Discuss Economic Ties, Human Rights
  Chinese President Hu Jintao got the full ceremonial welcome at the White House on Wednesday, with a color guard and a 21-gun salute. In meetings Wednesday, the two leaders discussed issues of trade, currency, human rights and China's growing military ambitions -- with President Obama trying a somewhat tougher tone with Hu.
• Protesters Gather During Chinese President's Visit
  Hundreds of protesters from various causes gathered across the street from the White House to protest President Hu's visit. We bring you some of the sounds and voices of the demonstrations.
• Economic Issues Take Stage In U.S.-China Talks
  Economic issues were front and center during talks between President Obama and President Hu on Wednesday, and in their session with CEOs from both countries. NPR's John Ydstie discusses what progress might have been made on three big issues: trade, the protection of intellectual property and the dispute over China's currency.
• More Americans Learn Their ABCs In Chinese
  The number of Americans studying Chinese is soaring, thanks in part to deeper economic ties with China. Kids from one Chinese-language immersion school met the U.S. and Chinese presidents on Wednesday, an example of the students from elementary schools to colleges who are signing up to learn what some have dubbed the "language of the future."
• Connecticut Sen. Lieberman Won't Seek Re-Election
  Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman has confirmed that he won't seek another term. Lieberman won his most recent election as an independent after losing the Democratic primary in 2006. He'll spend the next two years as a lame-duck senator, and some constituents are hoping that will allow him to rise above politics.
• The Political Landscape For 2012 Senate Elections
  Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman's announcement that he won't run for re-election comes one day after Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota said he too will be stepping down. Host Melissa Block speaks to Amy Walter, political director of ABC News, for a look at the political landscape shaping up for Senate elections in 2012.
• Goldman's Double Hit: Profit Slide, Facebook Gaffe
  Goldman Sachs reported that its fourth-quarter profits plunged more than 50 percent. That was an unwelcome surprise to investors that comes on the heels of the firm having to reverse course on a private offering of Facebook shares.
• Questions Mount As Health Law Rolls Out
  In a few months the federal law overhauling the nation's health system will be a year old. As House Republicans push for a repeal vote, NPR's Julie Rovner answers questions about how the law works.
• Breaking The Late-Night Sitcom Rule
  NBC is about to break one of the unwritten rules of TV: No sitcoms past 10 p.m. Commentator Andrew Wallenstein explains why this rule exists -- and why NBC is breaking it now.

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