Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Wis. Gov. Walker visits manufacturer in Hudson, talks budget
  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was in Hudson today, just across the state line from the Twin Cities, to visit a Hudson manufacturer and talk about his budget plan.4:49 p.m.
• Best Buy faces competition from more retailers dipping in to electronics market
  In 2009, Best Buy was dominating the consumer electronics business, but the Richfield-based retailer is facing increasing competition from the likes of Wal-Mart, Amazon.com and Target.4:53 p.m.
• Q&A: How vulnerable are Minnesota's nuclear reactors?
  The earthquake and tsunami in Japan the disaster they caused at a nuclear power plant there are raising questions about the safety of Minnesota's two nuclear power plants.5:20 p.m.
• Too early to assess toll of Japan quake on Minn. exports
  With the fallout from the earthquake still unfolding, it's unclear whether the turmoil in Japan will cause a big revenue loss for Minnsota firms -- and whether the state's exporters will see a dropoff in sales to Minnesota's third largest foreign market.5:24 p.m.
• News Cut live blog: What caused an Owatonna jet crash that killed 8?
  The NTSB is answering that question today at a meeting unveiling the results of the investigation. I'm live blogging the meeting, and you can also watch it here (8:30 CT start).5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• At Japanese Plant, Four Reactors Now Involved
  There was a third explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant Tuesday — at yet a third reactor. Officials also revealed there was a fire. That makes four reactors now involved. Experts are still struggling to understand the cause of an explosion and also a fire at the badly damaged nuclear reactor complex in Japan. A significant pulse of radioactive gas went into the atmosphere as a result of these events — though the levels have since subsided according to Japanese officials. Japan has evacuated residents within 12 miles of the plant as a precaution. Michele Norris talks to NPR's Richard Harris, who has the latest from Tokyo about the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan.
• Explainer: What Are Spent Fuel Rods?
  During a nuclear reaction, fuel rods generate a tremendous amount of heat. After most of the fuel has been used, the rods are removed from the reactor and kept in a separate cooling pool nearby. Problems cooling these pools have officials worried that the spent rods could overheat and melt.
• International Group Provides Aid In Japan
  Robert Siegel speaks to Lasse Petersen, international director of one of the many relief agencies trying to help in Japan. It's called Shelter Box, and it distributes boxes of aid to families who are displaced. Each box contains blankets, cooking equipment, and a tent for as many as 10 people. Petersen joins us from Tokyo. He's just returned from Sendai, and he'll return there after picking up more supplies in Tokyo.
• Intel CEO: 'Tax Holiday' Could Create More Jobs
  Paul Otellini says the U.S. needs to do more than attract more investment and the right kind of human capital to spur job growth. To compete with Asia, he says, the government needs to give companies more tax incentives to build factories.
• Libya Puts 'Al-Qaida Affiliate' On Stage
  Libya's government has been insisting it's not at war with its own people. Officials claim Islamist radicals from outside Libya are behind the uprising. And Tuesday, they set out to prove it — showing journalists a prisoner whose story neatly fits the profile the government has been highlighting.
• Egypt Moves Ahead With Vote Despite Concerns
  Egypt's military rulers are charging ahead with a referendum scheduled for Saturday that will determine who can run for president. The referendum is widely opposed by the leaders of the country's revolution. "Why rush at the expense of democracy?" asks Mohamed ElBaradei.
• GOP Calls To Overhaul Social Security Grow Louder
  The Republican push to shake up the nation's premier retirement program is part of a larger effort to rein in deficit spending. They want Democrats — and especially President Obama — to join their cause, and share whatever political pain may come with it.
• The Road To An American 'El Sistema'
  A free program provides music education for hundreds of thousands of youth in Venezuela. Now, music educators are trying to bring the system to the U.S.
• DVD Picks: 'Waste Land'
  Bob Mondello's DVD pick this week is Waste Land, a documentary about transforming trash into a mammoth art project. It was recently nominated for an Academy Award.
• Japanese Flee Area Near Nuclear Power Plant
  After another explosion was reported at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Japan's prime minister announced that those living within about a 20-mile radius should stay inside their homes. But many did the exact opposite: They packed their cars or got into buses — and headed west.

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