Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• House passes tax rebate plan
  The Minnesota House has passed a property tax rebate bill that would send checks to homeowners this fall. Lawmakers who support the measure say it's the simplest way to help homeowners facing double-digit property tax increases. But there's no guarantee the state will have enough money for the proposal, and critics call the rebate a gimmick designed to buy off disgruntled property taxpayers right before the election.5:20 p.m.
• UnitedHealth directors re-elected amid compensation criticism
  The shareholders of UnitedHealth Group Inc. overwhelmingly re-elected four members of the board of directors on Tuesday despite the opposition of a few large shareholders.5:23 p.m.
• Metro-wide tax, Vikings, and transportation projects now part of Twins bill
  The powerful Senate Rules Committee sent the measure to the Senate floor for a vote, but not before significantly changing the bill approved by the House, possibly killing the stadium efforts.5:44 p.m.
• After the fire is out, Minnesota's Wildfire Investigation Team goes to work
  After a wildfire is exstinguished, it's up an elite group of fire investigators to figure out what started the fire.5:49 p.m.
• South Dakota to tourists: 'Fill-er up'
  It's the time of year to start planning summer vacations, and South Dakota tourism officials hope to entice visitors with two little words: "Free Gas." The state is offering tourists from other Midwestern states a $20 voucher to buy ethanol-blended fuel in South Dakota.5:53 p.m.
• Blogger seeks to fuel politics with 'people power'
  In an advertisement for his new book, Crashing the Gate, Markos Moulitsas is shown helping a group of people trying to pull a donkey to their side, by kicking it in the rear end. It's more than just a metaphor.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Roth Returns with Life and Death of 'Everyman'
  Everyman, the latest novel from author Philip Roth, tells the story of a man's life through his illnesses and, ultimately, his death. But it's also a book about a man trying to stay alive. Roth discusses the novel, the writing process and his own thoughts on mortality.
• Protest That Sings: Neil Young's 'Living with War'
  Living With War, the new album from Neil Young, features a 100-voice choir that backs the singer/songwriter's musings on President Bush, the conflict in Iraq and families on the home front.
• Small Paper Uses Profits to Train New Reporters
  At many newspapers, the top priority these days is how best to prop up revenues. But the family that owns The Anniston Star in Alabama is quietly planning to devote the paper's profits to training new generations of reporters.
• New Orleans Leaders Float Emergency Plan
  New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and other officials lay out new evacuation plans for the city, nearly nine months after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The revamped strategy focuses on helping the evacuation of those without transportation. Nagin also reassures residents that looting will be prevented.
• Tension, Emotion Run High at Mine-Safety Meeting
  In Buckhannon, W.Va., two-day hearings begin about the Sago Mine accident that killed 12 people on Jan. 2. Family members of the dead miners gave statements, and company officials presented their take on the accident, as well.
• France Hosts Security Council Meetings on Iran
  Officials from the United States, Europe, Russia and China gather in Paris to plan the U.N. Security Council's next step in the ongoing standoff with Iran. An International Atomic Energy Agency report said Friday that Iran had not complied with demands to stop enriching uranium.
• Venezuela Asserts Control as Energy Prices Rise
  In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez moves to tighten control of the country's oil reserves at a time when oil is at record levels and no slackening of prices is in sight. Analysts say the result is that Chavez is rewriting the rules of oil investment, forcing huge companies to share ownership and profits with the Venezuelan government.
• Black Community Debates Impact of Illegal Immigrants
  In Los Angeles, huge immigrant rallies and this week's boycott have drawn a mixed response from African-Americans. Although some black leaders support the protests, many African-American residents say that illegal immigrants are taking jobs from their community.
• After Marching, Immigrant Lobbying Is Next Step
  Michele Norris speaks to Raymond Sanchez about the May 1 "Day Without Immigrants" action. Sanchez owns R. Sanchez and Sons Inc., a landscape contract and design firm in Lake Bluff, Ill. He also is part of a state group that supports immigration reform. He says business owners like him support the goals of the marches -- but the real work has to be done by lobbying state and federal officials.
• Growing Up Brown in a Border Town
  Commentator Tanya Barrientos grew up as a Guatemalan-American in a border town in Texas. She reflects on her teen years, when self-consciousness about her heritage and her brown skin caused her to distance herself from her identity.

The Dinner Party Download™

A fast, funny digest of the week's most interesting news, cuisine, cocktails and culture.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories