Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Owner of Hmong market in St. Paul looks to expand
  A hardscrabble Asian shopping bazaar attracts thousands of shoppers a day. The man behind it wants to make it even bigger, and he's looking for the city of St. Paul for help.6:55 a.m.
• Ron Paul stumps in Minnesota
  Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul is scheduled to hold a campaign rally Monday night at the University of Minnesota, one day before Minnesota's precinct caucuses.7:20 a.m.
• Poll: Pawlenty scores higher approval rating than Legislature
  A new statewide poll shows a majority of Minnesotans approve of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty's job performance, but they have mixed feelings about the DFL-controlled Legislature.7:25 a.m.
• Baby left at hospital, apparently under safe haven law
  A 3-day-old baby is in foster care after being dropped off at Children's Hospital in St. Paul. The baby was apparently left under what's known as the "safe haven" law, which allows mothers to anonymously give up their unwanted newborns with no legal consequences.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Bowed Piano: Fishing for a New Sound
  Imagine a grand piano with the top removed. Armed with fishing line, plumbing tape and Popsicle sticks, 10 musicians lean over the innards of the instrument and play the bowed piano.
• Trudge to Voting Day Hasn't Dulled Hype
  Many speculated that Americans would be wearied by a two-year presidential campaign. But so far, the country remains hooked on the races — and so are TV news channels.
• Bush Budget Would Bring Record Deficits
  President Bush sent his $3.1 trillion budget to lawmakers on Monday. The budget includes a deficit of $400 billion, even though spending is essentially frozen on many domestic programs. The plan includes big increases for the Pentagon and homeland security, however.
• 'King of Congas' Dies in Havana
  Cubans are mourning the "King of the Congas," percussionist Tata Guines, who died at 77 in Havana. He shared the stage with such star as Frank Sinatra, Josephine Baker and Dizzy Gillespie, after rising from humble beginnings. It's said Guines made his first set of bongo drums from condensed milk cans.
• Rooster Fight on Ballot in California Town
  Riverside, Calif., votes Tuesday on a proposal to halt rooster proliferation. A local man says his neighbor had 200 of the birds. They would start crowing at 3 a.m. and continue all day. The ballot proposal would set a seven-rooster limit — and they birds would be required to spend their days in a room that dampens the sound of their crowing.
• American Couple Flies High at French Circus Event
  At a four-day festival in Paris, the world's up-and-coming circus acts are on display. None of those selected for the elite festival are older than 25. This year, two trapeze artists from Seattle were among the competitors.
• New Orleans Police Seek to Keep Up Morale
  New Orleans' high murder rate was underlined in January when a female police officer was killed in a struggle with a rape suspect. But some positive signs are emerging as an embattled city and its police force try to keep hope alive.
• New Mormon Leader Monson Meets the Press
  At an initial news conference, the new leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says he sees no major changes ahead for the Mormon faith. Thomas Monson, 80, did emphasize the church's global reach by naming a German to be the only non-American among the church's highest leaders.
• Britain to Probe Alleged Bugging of Lawmaker
  British Justice Secretary Jack Straw will investigate allegations that officials eavesdropped on a conversation between a Muslim member of Parliament and a man imprisoned while awaiting extradition to the U.S. to face terrorism charges.
• Knight's Coaching Legacy: Success, Turmoil
  Bob Knight, whose teams won more games than any other NCAA Division I men's basketball coach, has abruptly resigned as basketball coach at Texas Tech University. With the wins came mixed emotions from players and peers about his coaching methods.
• Bush's Approach to 'Earmarks' Raises Questions
  President Bush has renewed his attacks on congressional "earmarks," the pet-project spending items lawmakers love. But his plan to reduce the practice pushes the heavy lifting into the next president's lap.
• United to Charge for Extra Luggage
  Starting in May, United Airlines will charge domestic passengers with nonrefundable tickets $25 to check a second bag. United says the new system is "part of its continuing effort to offer customers choice, flexibility and low fares."
• Banks Set Guidelines on Financing 'Dirty' Plants
  Three of the nation's biggest banks have announced that they're going to be much more careful about financing coal-fired power plants. The banks say they expect Congress to impose limits on carbon emissions soon and don't want to lose money on plants that aren't ready to comply with the new rules.
• Spoils of Yahoo Deal Would Exceed Ad Revenue
  Microsoft's first priority in its unsolicited bid for Yahoo is to compete with Google for advertising revenue that comes from online searches. But the merger would bring a lot of other goodies, too.
• Bolivian Leader's Successes Expose Divisions
  Bolivia's first indigenous president, whose striped sweater became his emblem, is marking his second year in office with greater state control over the oil and gas industry and a new draft constitution. But the accomplishments of Evo Morales have also exposed deep ethnic and class divides inside the nation.

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