All Things Considered for February 28, 2013 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Art Hounds
Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside their own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on in local arts.4:44 p.m.
Constituents pleased, miffed with GOP same-sex marriage supporter
When Republican state Sen. Branden Petersen of Andover stepped forward to co-sponsor a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, he took some of his constituents by surprise.4:49 p.m.
Data breach prosecutions 'very rare,' expert says
Criminal charges have been dismissed against a Minneapolis city employee who allegedly used driver's license information inappropriately.4:54 p.m.
Minnesota budget forecast shows smaller deficit
The February economic forecast shows a $463 million improvement from November, when the projected deficit for the next biennium was at $1.1 billion.5:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Justice Department Warns Of 'Pain' From Looming Cuts
The Obama administration warns that the situation looks ugly for the department under the sequester. But for now, the most alarming claims — that prosecutors will drop cases and criminals will walk free — seem to be just that: alarms.
The Last Time Congress Built A Doomsday Machine
The U.S. has been through sequestration before. Here's what happened the first time.
As Pope Benedict XVI Exits, Catholic Church Faces An Identity Crisis
After greeting cardinals in the Vatican, Pope Benedict boarded a helicopter and flew to the papal summer residence south of Rome on Thursday. With his resignation official, the Papal Swiss Guard, which has served popes since the 16th century, will prepare for the arrival of his successor, whoever that may be. Audie Cornish talks to Sylvia Poggioli.
Pete Rose: A Living Legend, Off The Record
Gambling kept Rose out of baseball's Hall of Fame, and years later, the fallout continues. Topps baseball cards has quietly removed his name from the backs of cards that note major achievements. But is it time to re-evaluate Rose's singular status as a Major League Baseball pariah?
Milwaukee Finds Its Missing Link; 'Guido The Racing Italian Sausage' Turns Up
Perhaps the crooks feared being grilled or stuck under some hot lights. Whatever, they've returned the 7-foot-tall spicy sprinter who entertains fans during Milwaukee Brewers games.
House Passes Expansion Of Violence Against Women Act
The House finally took up an extension to the Violence Against Women Act on Thursday. There were a number of roadblocks to what many saw as an uncontroversial bill.
After Tough 2012, Conservative Koch Brothers Regroup
Conservative groups backed by wealthy industrialists David and Charles Koch spent millions but fared badly in the 2012 elections. Now they're assessing how they can get more for their money in 2014 and beyond.
At A Pakistani Mobile Library, Kids Can Check Out Books, And Hope
Many young Pakistanis have grown up in the grip of religious extremism. But Saeed Malik is trying to reverse that trend, starting at the most basic level. He has created a bookmobile that offers English and Urdu books to underprivileged children, in hopes of broadening their minds and fostering tolerance.
With Audubon's Help, Beat-Up Kid Is 'Okay For Now'
Fourteen-year-old Doug Swieteck has the weight of the world upon him — no friends, an alcoholic father and a brother who has just been injured in Vietnam. But the protagonist of this NPR Backseat Book Club book finds solace in an unlikely place — the pages of Audubon's Birds of America.
U.S. Offers Additional $60 Million To Syrian Opposition
The U.S. announced $60 million of non-lethal aid to Syria's opposition movement on Thursday. Secretary of State John Kerry made the announcement at a meeting with Syrian opposition leaders in Rome.