Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Social Security's simple fix blocked by politics
  To address the nation's debt problem, experts say Congress should first address Social Security -- the federal government's largest program.4:49 p.m.
• Ask Dr. Hallberg: Problems with DMAA use
  DMAA is a popular supplement with athletes, or people looking for a edge in their workout. But some side effects have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration looking into it.4:54 p.m.
• Lawmakers take first look at Dayton's school funding plan
  State lawmakers have begun scrutinizing DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's spending plan for public education, which was the first piece of his budget proposal to be introduced in bill form. During a House committee hearing Tuesday, the chief sponsor of the bill mostly praised the governor's approach. But he also said he has some disagreements.5:20 p.m.
• Contentious frac sand mining hearings start at Capitol
  Opponents of the new mining process packed a legislative hearing to urge Gov. Mark Dayton and state lawmakers to regulate the sand mining industry. But industry officials say such regulations will limit job growth and create unnecessary burdens on them.5:24 p.m.
• Freshmen lawmakers get a feel for the Capitol
  To get a sense of how Minnesota's newest legislators see the action at the Capitol, MPR News speaks with a pair of freshmen lawmakers throughout the session.5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• A Wounded Soldier Stands Tall At Reunion With His Platoon
  U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Jeffries lost both legs in a roadside bombing last October in Afghanistan, and he has been learning to walk on prosthetic legs. But Jeffries was determined to meet his buddies when they returned from duty in January.
• Report: Chinese Government Hackers Behind Dozens Of Attacks On U.S. Companies
  China's army is behind a prolific group of hackers who've attacked dozens of American companies and government agencies. That's according to a detailed report released Tuesday by Mandiant, a computer security firm. Melissa Block talks with Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia.
• End Of Winter Drives Nation's Gas Prices Uphill
  Gas prices typically rise this time of year as refineries switch to summertime formulas, which are designed to reduce smog. But because of maintenance work — partially delayed by Superstorm Sandy — the run-up in prices is happening earlier this year.
• Why Buying A Car Never Changes
  State laws protecting dealers make it hard for anyone who wants to change the way new cars are sold.
• Celebrated British Writer Derides Kate Middleton As 'Shop-Window Mannequin'
  One of Britain's most celebrated authors has launched a withering attack on the Duchess of Cambridge, the pregnant wife of Prince William, branding her a "shop-window mannequin" with a plastic smile whose only role in life is to breed. Prime Minister David Cameron described award-winning writer Hilary Mantel as "misguided" after she likened the former Kate Middleton to a "machine made" doll, devoid of personality.
• In 'Kings Point,' The Sunny Promise Of Retirement Gathers Clouds
  Audie Cornish talks with Sari Gillman, director of Kings Point, a documentary that shows the lonely and raw lives of retirees in Florida. The short film has been nominated for an Oscar.
• U.S.-Russia Relations Continue To Falter With Prosecution Of Dead Man
  Russia is prosecuting a dead man, corruption whistle-blower Sergei Magnitsky, in a case that has severely complicated U.S.-Russia relations. Congress passed a bill that will punish anyone involved in the Magnitsky case and other major human rights violators in Russia. The Russian parliament responded by banning adoptions by American families of Russian children. It is against this backdrop that the new Secretary of State John Kerry finds himself searching for ways to reset relations once again.
• Gen. John Allen To Retire, Not Pursue NATO Commander Nomination
  Marine Gen. John Allen has decided to retire from the military. The former top commander in Afghanistan, Allen had been nominated by President Obama to become commander of all NATO forces.
• Civilian Casualties In Afghan War Dip For First Time In Six Years
  The U.N. reports that for the first time in six years, casualties in the Afghan war have decreased. There was sharp drop in the number of dead and wounded attributed to attacks by Afghan government and Western forces.
• Amusement Park Planned In The Town Where Bin Laden Hid Out
  Pakistani developers are planning a $30 million amusement park in Abbottabad, the place Osama bin Laden secretly lived for several years before his death. The park's project manager says he wants to look past the event that put the town on the map.

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