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.
• From the family of a killed teenager, a call for reform
  Alisha Neeley, the sister of Helena and Terrence Neeley, was shot and killed a little more than a year ago. They believe the broader culture of gun violence led to their sister's death and have ideas on how to address it.4:49 p.m.
• A no new taxes pledge, but GOP still finds new revenue
  Republicans say they are building a budget "based on what is in Minnesota's checking account," but they are using special revenue accounts and dedicated funds to help balance the state's budget.5:20 p.m.
• Picking up the broadband pace
  Across the state, companies, cooperatives and municipalities are building broadband networks in rural areas that have been underserved. Ground Level has covered some of these projects on this blog, especially public efforts and those that have received federal stimulus dollars.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Crisis Forces Japanese Farmers To Destroy Crops
  The government is asking people not to eat spinach, parsley and other produce grown near the damaged nuclear power plant because some is tainted with radiation. This is putting some farmers, many of whom have to demolish whole crops, in a bind.
• Relief Group Provides Update On Japan
  All Things Considered spoke with a relief agency operating in Japan called Shelter Box last week. Host Melissa Block checks in with Shelter Box and their international director, Lasse Petersen. Last week, his group was just starting to survey the extent of the damage. Now, they've distributed tents and supplies.
• How Precise Are Air Strikes?
  If ever precision weapons were really needed for a mission, the Libyan air strikes would be that mission. It would be hard to explain away unintended civilian casualties as collateral damage when the declared objective of the strikes is to protect civilians. For more on precision weapons, Robert Siegel speaks with retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Irving Halter, who is now with the applied technology group of the defense contractor CSC.
• Could Cutting Saturday Postal Service Save Money?
  The Postal Service, which lost some $8.5 billion last year, says it could save billions if it were allowed to end Saturday mail deliveries. But a new report says those savings are overstated.
• Defunding Public Media: Disaster Or Opportunity?
  Supporters of public broadcasting say zeroing out federal funding would mean lights out for hundreds of local radio and TV stations. But critics say it would give stations a chance to reinvent themselves.
• Maine Takes Down Labor Mural
  Labor leaders in Maine are outraged over a decision by Republican Gov. Paul LePage and his new administration to remove a 35-foot mural from the Maine Department of Labor. The mural depicts scenes from Maine's labor history, including a strike at a shoe factory and a paper mill as well as Rosie the Riveter. A spokeswoman for the governor says all departments in state government need to make all people feel welcome — and the mural does not do that.
• A Somber Centennial For The Triangle Factory Fire
  On March 25, 1911, 146 garment workers — mostly young, immigrant women — lost their lives in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City. On the 100th anniversary of the tragedy, people around the country are remembering the victims, and the labor legacy they inspired.
• American Mathematician Wins Abel Prize
  American mathematician John Milnor was awarded the Abel Prize in mathematics Wednesday. Among his many achievements, Milnor proved the existence of exotic seven-dimensional spheres. Robert Siegel talks with Julie Rehmeyer about his work. Rehmeyer writes for Science News and Wired Magazine.
• Letters: PTSD
  Hosts Robert Siegel and Melissa Block read from listeners' emails about an investigative report on post-traumatic stress disorders.
• On Broadway, A 'Mormon' Swipe At ... Everything
  The guys behind South Park teamed with a co-creator of the smutty puppet musical Avenue Q to write a musical about Mormon missionaries in Uganda. Will theater ever be quite the same?

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