Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Shins perform in studio
  What started out as a side project for James Mercer, frontman for the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based group has now turned into a full time project and one of the most popular indie-rock groups of recent years. The group joined Mary Lucia in the Current studios to perform songs from their past two releases as well as a web-only version of Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher."3:50 p.m.
• A challenge of DNR authority
  A northwestern Minnesota road dispute could change wildlife management areas across the state.4:50 p.m.
• Reviews are mixed for governor's enviro and energy spending
  Some environmentalists say Gov. Pawlenty's budget is disappointing, but the governor gets positive review for spending on renewable energy.5:50 p.m.
• Django Reinhardt: the father of Gypsy Jazz
  Guitarist Django Reinhardt would be 97 years old this week. When he was young, a fire mangled his hands, forcing him to come up with new ways to play his favorite instrument. His innovations led to a new type of jazz music that resonated through western Europe even as war tore the continent apart.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• New Passport Requirements May Cramp Travel
  Beginning today, all Americans flying into the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean must have a passport. The new regulations are the result of post-Sept. 11 security concerns. A U.S. Customs agent explains what happens if you don't have a passport; and a travel industry expert says resort deals can offset passport costs.
• Border Towns Fret Over New Passport Rules
  Communities on the Canadian border say that increasingly strict identification rules since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, are threatening the cozy neighborliness of their way of life. Their concerns led them to persuade Congress to postpone and water down the passport rules for land-crossings.
• Mexican Border and the New Passport Rules
  The U.S. government says about 75 million travelers crossed the northern border in the last fiscal year, less than the 87 million who came by air. Both are dwarfed by the number of visitors crossing the southern border with Mexico: 234 million. One busy point of entry for travelers is Nogales, Ariz.
• Cooperation and Resistance on Green Energy
  Several utility companies are collaborating with the Natural Resources Defense Council to improve their carbon profile and produce "greener" electricity. Other utilities, however, have taken the opposite tack, and are hustling to build as much coal-fired generation as they can, while they can.
• Dropping Things in a Well to Hear Them
  Listeners Susan and Colin Wyss of Bradford, Penn., drop rocks and sticks down a long-abandoned well in the woods.
• Petraeus Lays Out Security Plan for Baghdad
  Gen. David Petraeus, President Bush's choice to take over the combat command in Iraq, tells senators about his plan of defense for Baghdad, featuring new sectors and walls. Petraeus says that the situation there is dire but not hopeless.
• Kurdish Area Attracts Arabs — and Trouble
  Iraq's Kurds are building English-language universities and holding international trade fairs. The stability and progress has led Arabs to move their families and businesses here from the Baghdad. But there's trouble in the mountainous paradise, from fighting between rival factions to infrastructure woes.
• Israeli President Faces Indictment on Charges
  Israel's attorney general says there is sufficient evidence to indict President Moshe Katsav on charges of rape and sexual harassment. The president's lawyer expects opinion to change after a scheduled hearing. But politicians from across the spectrum are urging the president to step down now.
• Hockey Players Sport New Uniforms
  The National Hockey League introduced a new uniform yesterday, in time for the All Star Game tomorrow night. Average fans will probably not notice much difference, but the NHL claims new material will retain less moisture and allow players to move better. Michele talks with Paul Lukas, who follows trends in sports uniforms. He writes the Uni Watch column for ESPN.com and edits UniWatchblog.
• The Shins' New CD: More of the Good Stuff
  The 2004 movie Garden State transformed the Shins from a little known indie-rock band to a mainstream sensation. Their eagerly awaited new album is out today. The album shows the Shins expanding their sound without losing the melodic pop-writing they're known for.

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