Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• North Minneapolis tornado: One year later
  One year after the north Minneapolis tornado, MPR News revisits the area to see how the recovery was managed and to look ahead to what's next.3:00 p.m.
• First person: A small business recovery
  MPR's Tom Crann talks with Kris Brogan, whose business building wasn't damaged in the tornado, but the recovery is slow nonetheless.3:20 p.m.
• Q&A: Heidi Barajas of U of M's Urban Research & Outreach Center on All Things Considered
  Heidi Barajas, executive director the University of Minnesota's Urban Research & Outreach Center, speaks with Tom Crann of MPR News' All Things Considered about the center's role in tornado recovery.3:26 p.m.
• First person: A tour of the tornado zone
  The director of outreach at the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center talks about how last year's tornado affected neighborhoods and people.3:46 p.m.
• Q&A: Congressman Keith Ellison on All Things Considered
  Rep. Keith Ellison, Minn.-Dist. 5, represents the tornado-affected area in north Minneapolis. The DFL-er speaks with Tom Crann of MPR News' All Things Considered to discuss his assessment on the area's recovery, and FEMA's response to the tornado.3:55 p.m.
• First person: One family's recovery
  MPR's Tom Crann talks with Dana Gronau, whose home was damaged in last May's tornado. She talks about the difficulties in navigating insurance, etc., and lingering issues in her neighborhood.4:15 p.m.
• The tornado recovery, by the numbers
  MPR reporter Brandt Williams shares some of his observations on the one-year anniversary of the north Minneapolis tornado, and how the recovery has gone so far.4:21 p.m.
• Group effort helped recovery, but eventually cut others out
  In the wake of the tornado that tore through north Minneapolis a year ago, a new group emerged as a leader. The Northside Community Response Team was a rare collaboration of dozens of nonprofits, but one that others say cut them out of the process, hindering efforts to help residents like OraLee Law.4:43 p.m.
• General Mills, Medtronic announce layoffs
  Two Minnesota employers announced job cuts in the Twin Cities today. General Mills says it is cutting 425 jobs. Medtronic said previously announced job cuts will grow by 30.5:13 p.m.
• Q&A: Mayor R.T. Rybak on recovery in north Minneapolis
  Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak was quick to the scene following the tornado strike, arriving to the neighborhood minutes after the storm passed. Rybak speaks to Tom Cran of MPR News' All Things Considered to give his assessment of the recovery effort in north Minneapolis.5:19 p.m.
• Q&A: MPR's Paul Huttner discusses the events of last year's tornado
  Paul Huttner, MPR News' chief meteorologist, discusses last year's tornado and how the events unfolded.5:44 p.m.
• Q&A: Rebuilding north Minneapolis
  Chad Schwitters, executive director of Urban Homeworks, and Tim Manz, district supervisor of Housing Inspection Services - Minneapolis Regulatory Services, about how a community rebuilds after the devastation of a tornado.5:50 p.m.
• First person: Helping neighbors in need
  Tom Crann talks with Chanda Smith Baker, who as CEO of Pillsbury United Communities had to balance getting immediate help to those who needed it, while suffering her own losses from the tornado.6:14 p.m.
• Two community leaders discuss the future of the city's north side
  Louis King, CEO of the Summit Academy and leader of the Northside Community Recovery Team, and Don Samuels, a Minneapolis City Councilmember representing Ward 5, including the Willard-Hay and Jordan neighborhoods, speak with MPR News' Tom Crann about the neighborhood's future.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• SpaceX Launch Signals New Era In Spaceflight
  A company called SpaceX has put an unmanned capsule into orbit, on the first-ever commercial mission to deliver cargo to the international space station. If successful, the mission will be a key step towards NASA's goal of privatizing space travel to the orbiting outpost.
• Although Private, SpaceX Still Involved With NASA
  Robert Siegel talks to Andy Pasztor, aerospace reporter for the Wall Street Journal, about the business model for SpaceX.
• 'Scotty' Of Star Trek Has Ashes 'Beamed' Into Space
  Audie Cornish and Robert Siegel note that the ashes of some celebrities' were launched on the SpaceX Falcon rocket on Tuesday. They include those of James "Scotty" Doohan of Star Trek and astronaut Gordon Cooper.
• Word Of Deal To Inspect Iran's Nuclear Program Raises Hopes For Broader Talks
  Yukiya Amano, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said today that Iran has agreed to steps that will let international inspectors learn more about its nuclear program.
• I Vs. We: The 'Heart' Of Our Political Differences
  For years, the Tea Party has held individualism up as the great American value. But columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. says that Americans historically have prized communitarianism just as much. In Our Divided Political Heart, Dionne argues that America is at its best when it balances the two.
• Spain's Borrowing Costs Continue To Rise
  For months, Spain's borrowing costs have been hovering near levels that sent Greece, Ireland and Portugal into bailouts. Spain will have to cough up nearly $40 billion to pay interest on its debts this year alone. That's many times what's been cut from things like health and education, which has Spaniards so upset. But the only alternative to raising money on markets is simply to stop spending it. Last week, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy signaled he may simply give up, and try to rely on tax revenue alone.
• Colbert Spawns SuperPACs 'For A Better Tomorrow'
  Audie Cornish and Robert Siegel tell us about the recent spawn of superPACs — thanks mostly to late-night TV host Stephen Colbert.
• Former Taliban Stronghold Faces The Post-U.S. Future
  In 2010, the southern Afghan town of Marjah was a haven for the Taliban and drug traffickers. Today, after a massive effort by the U.S. Marines, the Taliban have fled and the area is relatively peaceful. But many are concerned about Marjah's future once American combat forces leave the area.
• School Bus Driver Who Saved Students 'Was A Hero'
  On Tuesday, family and loved ones in Chowchilla, Calif., remember a school bus driver who many consider an American hero. Thirty-six years ago, Ed Ray was driving his regular school bus route when it was hijacked. Everyone aboard was driven 100 miles, forced into a storage van, and buried alive. Audie Cornish speaks with Lynda Carrejo-Labendeira, who was on the bus that day.
• Letters: Sentencing In Rutgers Webcam Case
  Robert Siegel and Audie Cornish read a comment from a listener about Monday's analysis of the trial of an ex-Rutgers student — and what sentence a cyberbully deserves. And on a lighter note, we correct two pop culture mistakes.

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