Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• On the ground in Pakistan after devastating floods
  The death toll in Pakistan is rising even as more rain is on the way to the flooded regions of the country. More than 1,400 people are dead and 3 million have been forced from their homes as a historically strong monsoon season wiped out towns and villages in many parts of the country.4:44 p.m.
• Retirees challenging changes to state pension laws
  Some of the state's former public employees hope to block changes made this year to the state's three largest pension systems.4:50 p.m.
• Rep. Peterson: Feds shouldn't increase farm spending
  U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Detroit Lakes, one of the most powerful figures in Congress, told farmers on Tuesday that he doesn't think the federal government should increase farm spending when it puts together the 2012 farm bill.5:20 p.m.
• After 24 year drought, can DFL win governor's race?
  It's been 24 years since Minnesotans elected a Democrat to the governor's office - one of the longest droughts in the nation.5:24 p.m.
• Vikings player: Favre tells teammates he's retiring
  Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe says Brett Favre has texted his teammates and told them he plans to retire.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• BP, Feds Comb Wetlands To Assess Spill Damage
  Teams of scientists are gathering data about where oil from the Gulf spill is landing in an effort to plan restoration projects. BP and government officials are collaborating well now, but there are hints of disputes to come after the government hands the oil company the tab.
• Al-Qaida Foes Getting Squeezed Out Of Baghdad
  Recent attacks by militants on security personnel in Baghdad have focused attention on the role of the Sahwa, Sunni groups who were largely credited with helping beat back al-Qaida in Iraq during the most violent years of the war. The Sahwa has been increasingly marginalized by the Iraqi government and is no longer getting paid.
• Targeting Of Muslim Cleric Draws Legal Challenge
  The United States has said that it has targeted an American cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, who has provided support for terrorists. Now, for the first time, a group of human rights lawyers are preparing a legal challenge to having him on a list of terrorist targets. Awlaki, who lives in Yemen, has been connected to several plots, including the failed attempt to down a U.S. airliner last Christmas. Melissa Block talks to NPR's Dina Temple-Raston.
• Mosque Near Ground Zero Clears Hurdle
  The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has voted to deny landmark status to a 152-year-old building just blocks from Ground Zero. That means the building can be taken down to make space for a controversial mosque and community center.
• Countrywide To Pay $600 Million Settlement
  Mortgage lender Countrywide has agreed to pay $600 million to settle shareholder lawsuits in the largest subprime-related shareholder settlement to date. Bank of America acquired the company in 2008.
• In Japan, Living Large In Really Tiny Houses
  Building a house on a lot the size of a parking space? In Japan's crowded cities, where land is scarce, architects are turning necessity into virtue by building stunning and stylized homes on remarkably narrow parcels of land.
• Voters Head To Polls In 3 Midwestern States
  Three Midwestern states hold primaries on Tuesday -- Kansas, Missouri and Michigan. Most of the suspense is in Michigan, where both parties have competitive races for governor. NPR Political Editor Ken Rudin runs down the races with Michele Norris.
• Tweeting With The Birds: Pitch Tent, Switch To Wi-Fi
  Today, going camping does not mean living incommunicado. Campsites around the country are spending the extra cash to have wi-fi signals in the wilderness, and many campers have come to expect the amenity.
• Chinese Carmaker Seals Deal For Volvo
  Michele Norris talks to Rebecca Lindland, director of automotive research at IHS Global Insight, about Chinese automaker Geely's purchase of Volvo.
• Letters: Anne Rice And Christianity; Mitch Miller
  Listeners react to our interview with best-selling author Anne Rice, who made headlines recently when she renounced Christianity; and to the death of record producer Mitch Miller. Michele Norris and Melissa Block read from listeners' e-mails.

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