Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Tasting upper Midwest pies with the Heavy Table
  Jim Norton and friends at the Heavy Table blog actually took on the task of tasting some 14 pies this weekend from pie bakeries from around the region, and he joined All Things Considered to talk about the results.4:48 p.m.
• Flavorful twist helps Minn. family give new life to old craft
  A dying craft is being preserved in a small northern Minnesota town where Black Swan Cooperage is one of only a few wooden barrel makers in the country.4:54 p.m.
• Photos: Barrel makers give new life to old craft
  A dying craft is being preserved in a small northern Minnesota town. Black Swan barrels is one of only a few remaining wooden barrel makers in the country. Tucked away inside a nondescript industrial building in the tiny town of Osage, the shop floor of this family-run business is a busy, noisy place.4:58 p.m.
• Dayton says GOP budget stance not responsible
  The governor says he doesn't want to see a state government shutdown, but he's still unwilling to accept a GOP budget with deep spending cuts.5:20 p.m.
• Services seek 'essential' status for possible shutdown
  A number of agencies are organizations are making the case what they do should be included in the list of "essential" functions during a government shutdown. Among them is the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which provides services for victims of sexual violence.5:24 p.m.
• Cube Critics talk animated automobiles
  This week, animated automobiles and a culinary adventure are top of mind on Cube Critics.6:25 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Obama To Discuss Pulling Out Troops In Afghanistan
  Later Wednesday evening, President Obama will address the nation to discuss his plan for bringing home troops from Afghanistan. Robert Siegel speaks with NPR's Mara Liasson for more.
• Target Tuesday: In Afghanistan, A Mortar Attack Caught On Tape
  The mortar attack critically injured one Afghan National Army soldier. The attack took place near the city of Khost in Eastern Afghanistan.
• Chinese Dissident Artist Ai WeiWei Released
  The Chinese government has released internationally renowned artist Ai WeiWei on bail. He was seized by authorities on April 3 as he was about to board an international flight and charged with unspecified "economic crimes." Xinhua news agency reports that he was released on bail because of "his good attitude in confessing his crimes."
• Schools Blend Computers With Classroom Learning
  In an era of budget cuts, some schools are trying blended learning — where students in a class are divided into groups and then they split time between computer lessons and instruction with a teacher. The blended approach helps keep the feel of a small class without the cost of additional staff.
• Summer Sounds: Lawnmower
  For our Summer Sounds series, writer Stefan Shepherd recalls the sound of the old gas mower he had the privilege of operating as kid. It was a lot of work, but it made him feel grown up.
• In N. Ireland, Police Hope To Avert Future Riots
  Belfast boiled over in a second night of sectarian violence, with youth hurling bricks, bottles and gasoline bombs. The unrest centered in Short Strand, a small Catholic community in a predominantly Protestant area of east Belfast. Police said about 400 people were involved. Violence tends to flare up before July 12, a divisive sectarian holiday.
• First Lady Speaks To Young Women In Africa
  Michele Norris talks to Krissah Thompson of The Washington Post about Michelle Obama's trip to Africa. Wednesday, the first lady spoke before a conference of young women from across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Following Claire Chase: A Week In The Life Of A Working Musician
  In an era when some classical musicians are struggling, New York-based flutist Claire Chase, the founder of the International Contemporary Ensemble, is keeping very busy.
• Former Dior Fashion Director Goes On Trial
  Fashion designer John Galliano goes on trial Wednesday on charges of anti-Semitism, a case that forced him out as Dior's fashion director and could result in prison time. The designer has since undergone substance abuse treatment and claims his outbursts were the result of inebriation.
• Why We Tip
  A popular theory says we don't tip to reward good service. We tip because we feel guilty.

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