Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota drops in some economic rankings
  Twin Cities home sales are down about 15 percent from a year ago. The news comes on the heels of somewhat troubling reports about the state economy.4:18 p.m.
• Minneapolis joins Muslim community developers to offer new financing
  The City of Minneapolis is joining with the African Development Center to offer a new financing option for small businesses, aimed primarily at Muslims.4:22 p.m.
• Bourne's "Edward Scissorhands" is not cutting-edge
  Choreographer Matthew Bourne does not believe dance has to be an acquired taste. Bourne is a Tony Award-winner who's filled theaters worldwide with his productions of "The Car Man," "Swan Lake" and "Cinderella." He's brought his latest dance theater piece, "Edward Scissorhands," to St. Paul.4:54 p.m.
• Bell is basking in honors and busking in subways
  In the space of a few days, violinist Joshua Bell has received a prestigious award, earned lots of press after busking in a Washington, DC Metro station and packed his bags for a European tour with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. He tells Minnesota Public Radio's Julie Amacher all about it.4:58 p.m.
• Wyoming to Breckenridge: "Hands off our logo"
  The western Minnesota school district has decided to phase out the logo rather than fight a trademark infringement accusation by the state of Wyoming.5:22 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Citing 'Tragic Rush,' Prosecutor Clears Duke Players
  Prosecutors have dropped all charges against three former Duke University lacrosse players accused of sexually assaulting a stripper at a party. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said the athletes were innocent victims of a "tragic rush to accuse" by an overreaching district attorney.
• Duke Community Hopes for Brighter Days
  The North Carolina Attorney General's office has dropped all remaining charges against three former Duke lacrosse players accused of rape. While the story received continuous attention on campus, many students feel that the "Duke brand" will persevere — along with a stronger awareness about issues of class and race.
• Citigroup Cuts Include 6 Percent of New York Staff
  Citigroup announces a sweeping overhaul of its operations as it tries to reduce costs under pressure from investors. The financial-services giant, which employs more than 325,000 people around the world, is cutting around 16,000 jobs. Some cuts will likely come from attrition, and some jobs may be shifted overseas.
• U.S. Accuses Iran of Arming Iraqi Insurgents
  For the first time, the U.S. military today accused Iranian intelligence of providing weapons and support to Sunni insurgents in Iraq. Over the past few months, the United States has, on several occasions, accused Iran of smuggling weapons into Iraq, mostly for the use of Shiite militias. U.S. spokesmen now say the weapons are going to both Sunni and Shiite militants.
• MSNBC Cuts Don Imus Show as Advertisers Flee
  MSNBC says it will no longer simulcast Don Imus' radio show. The cable TV network has had a strong following for the morning program. But Imus' use of a racial slur last week, while discussing the Rutgers University women's basketball team, brought heavy and persistent criticism. Earlier today, several major advertisers announced they are pulling their ads.
• Don Imus and the Full Cost of Offense
  Like those who have spoken offensively before him, radio host Don Imus will pay a price that has yet to be fully seen for his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
• Musician Preserves Fading African-Caribbean Culture
  Andy Palacio's album Watina is an effort to document his people's culture and prevent its extinction. Palacio is of the Garifuna people — descendants of shipwrecked slaves who settled on the east coast of Central America.
• Thompson Announces He Has Lymphoma
  Fred Thompson, TV actor and former senator, announced today that he has a form of lymphoma, but that his cancer is in remission. The 64-year-old from Tennessee left the door open for a possible 2008 presidential bid. He is already among the leading candidates in polls of Republican voters.
• From Law to Acting to the Senate: Fred Thompson
  For more on Fred Thompson and his political ambitions, Michele Norris talks with Marc Ambinder, associate editor of The Hotline. Ambinder says he puts the odds of Thompson entering the presidential race at 60 to 40. The Republican field so far has left some voters uninspired, Ambinder says, so Thompson could win significant support by just joining the race.
• McCain's Stance on Iraq Weighs Down Campaign
  Sen. John McCain travels to Virginia Military Institute to tell graduates that there's no way out of Iraq except to win. But an increasing number of observers think the sinking ship that needs saving is McCain's own political viability.

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