Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Carlsen twins are heading home
  Formerly conjoined twins Abbigail and Isabelle Carlsen return home to Fargo, N.D. tomorrow. The girls were separated at Mayo Clinic three weeks ago. Their recovery has been smooth, and doctors say, all being well, they'll need little additional medical care.5:19 p.m.
• Bogged down in wetlands
  It's hard to please everybody, even when you try to give them a wetland at no charge. PolyMet Mining will need to replace more than 1,000 acres of wetlands it expects to fill for a mining operation near Hoyt Lakes. PolyMet's plans worry some St. Louis County residents.5:22 p.m.
• Power trips
  A new study of thousands of public documents shows that members of congress aren't the only ones taking millions of dollars worth of privately-funded trips around the globe. Congressional staffers actually take most of the trips that corporations, trade associations and nonprofits provide to people working in the Nation's capitol. The details of these trips are included in a new report by Marketplace and American Radio Works along with the Medill School of Journalism and the Center for Public Integrity. Minnesota Public Radio's Economics Editor, Chris Farrell has been a part of the project and he joins us now from Washington.5:49 p.m.
• Melissa Bank hits "The Wonder Spot"
  Author Melissa Bank blasted onto the literary scene with her book "The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing." Yet it took Bank five years to publish her next novel "The Wonder Spot."6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Iraq's Maliki Grapples with Militia Violence
  Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vows to curb lawless militias, blamed for the surge in sectarian killings over the past six months. But observers say that integrating rival Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni militiamen into the existing security forces will be no easy task.
• Bush Restates Position on Gay Marriage
  President Bush calls for an amendment banning gay marriage, saying marriage, as traditionally defined, "is the most fundamental institution of civilization." The president says he favors a constitutional amendment under Senate debate that would ban gay and lesbian couples from being married.
• Will Same-Sex Issue Prop Up Bush's Polls?
  With President Bush's poll numbers stuck at their lowest levels ever, he is trying to stop erosion in support among Republicans. After nearly two years of saying almost nothing on same-sex marriage, Bush spoke in support of a constitutional amendment, both in his weekly radio address and in later comments.
• Negro Leagues Exhibit Goes on Nationwide Tour
  Exhibits from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum are touring the country in a mobile trailer, with photos, videos and memorabilia. The trailer, visiting 30 cities, stopped at New York's Shea Stadium on Sunday, when the Mets were honoring the Negro Leagues. Legendary player, scout and coach Buck O'Neil, 94, is traveling with the exhibit.
• The Accordion vs. The Beatles
  Accordionist Tom Torriglia of San Francisco has declared June to be "International Accordion Awareness Month." He joins New Hampshire accordionist Gary Sredzienski in trying to explain why they love the accordion. And they say the instrument was popular — until the Beatles came along and made the guitar supreme.
• AIDS, 1981: Mystery of an Emerging Epidemic
  In 1981, most Americans were oblivious to an emerging sickness that was overtaking gays. Throughout the spring and summer that year, a mystery would slowly unfold. It was the beginning of an epidemic of biblical proportions that has left no part of the world untouched.
• Duke to Keep Lacrosse Program, Despite Charges
  The president of Duke University announces that he's reinstating the men's lacrosse team. Richard Brodhead suspended the team's season two months ago amid allegations that three players raped an exotic dancer who performed at a team party in March. Three players have been indicted.
• Watching the World Cup: What You Need to Know
  The appeal of soccer's quadrennial World Cup tournament baffles many Americans. With the world's greatest soccer players convening in Germany for the monthlong FIFA World Cup 2006 — where the United States team has hopes of contending for a top spot — we have tips for potential Cup viewers.
• Canadians Shocked by Foiled Terrorism Plot
  Canadians have reacted with shock and skepticism after 12 men and five teens were arrested over the weekend, accused of hatching a terrorist bomb plot involving three tons of ammonium nitrate. Details on the charges from the sting operation are still forthcoming.
• Terrorism Arrests Highlight Northern Border Issues
  Canada's arrest over the weekend of homegrown suspected terrorists brings renewed attention to the United States' northern border. NPRs Martin Kaste looks at the 2,000-mile border and efforts over the past four years to tighten security and immigration checks.

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