Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Zimbabwean discusses the turmoil back home
  Munya Munochiveyi, who is finishing up his Ph.D. in history at the University of Minnesota, is a member of the Movement for Democratic Change.4:50 p.m.
• Negotiators reach tentative farm bill deal
  Congressional negotiators say they have a tentative agreement on a multibillion-dollar farm bill.5:20 p.m.
• NWA: Little you can do to keep the headquarters
  A Northwest Airlines executive told Minnesota lawmakers the state has little leverage to keep the headquarters once Delta acquires the Eagan-based airline.5:25 p.m.
• One St. Cloud man has a small solution to gas prices
  Brenton Netz is doing a brisk business fixing up and selling subcompact cars to commuters tired of expensive fuel.5:50 p.m.
• Former Twins pitcher finds a new career in the movies
  Former Twins pitcher Scott Erickson has a new career: film producer. This weekend his company's first movie "A Plumm Summer" opens in the Twin Cities.5:55 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Police Acquittal Heightens Tensions in N.Y.C.
  Three New York City police officers charged in the fatal shooting of Sean Bell are acquitted of all charges Friday. The undercover police officers fired 50 shots at Bell and two of his friends as they left a club on the morning of what was to be Bell's wedding day. The victims were all unarmed.
• Opponents Challenge Death Penalty in Florida
  Florida officials are eager to resume carrying out death penalties following this month's Supreme Court decision, which found that Kentucky's use of lethal injection does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. State officials say Florida's lethal injection protocols follow what the Supreme Court approved in Kentucky. But attorneys for death row inmates say Kentucky is different from Florida.
• Pakistan, Militants Negotiate Peace Deal
  The Pakistani government and elders of a militant tribe on the border of Afghanistan are negotiating a pact that would expel foreign members of al-Qaida, but not home-grown members of the Taliban. The hope is to rein in domestic attacks organized by Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud.
• Indiana: A 'Crossroads' for America's Democrats?
  Indiana holds its Democratic primary on May 6. Both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have stressed the state's importance as a potential "tie-breaker" in the Democratic race. Known as the "crossroads of America," Indiana seems tailor-made for a vital political role.
• Employers Escaping Charges in Immigration Raids
  Two years ago, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new strategy for immigration enforcement. It said it would start bringing criminal charges against companies that employ illegal workers. Since then, there's been a dramatic increase in raids on businesses, but few prosecutions against employers.
• U.S. Travel Restrictions Eased for Chinese
  The U.S. government is loosening up decades-old travel restrictions on the Chinese, and economists are predicting that soon a wave of Chinese tourists flush with cash will be arriving on U.S. shores.
• Amy Tan Reveals Stories of Dong Folk Songs
  In the Southwest China village of Dimen, song takes the place of the written word. American author Amy Tan talks about how the cicada-imitating Dong voices use song to tell stories of nature and the changing of seasons. However, Dimen's rich oral history may soon be lost.
• Madonna Indulges with 'Hard Candy'
  Madonna's new single, "4 Minutes," is an airtight, spit-polished production loaded with current stars, designed to send the message that Madonna still matters. Music critic Tom Moon reviews the pop icon's latest album, Hard Candy.
• Jazz Education Group Sounds Its Siren Song
  For 40 years, the International Association of Jazz Education has worked to promote jazz instruction at middle schools, high schools and colleges around the world. This week, the IAJE announced it was filing for bankruptcy protection and shutting down.
• Pierre Sheds Wet Suit for Real Penguin Suit
  After beginning to go bald in 2006, a penguin in San Francisco was fitted with a wet suit — and started to re-grow his feathers. Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the California Academy of Sciences, shares Pierre's remarkable story.

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