Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Charles Baxter's new novel explores 'soul vampirism'
  Minneapolis writer Charles Baxter describes his new novel "The Soul Thief" as being about an extreme kind of identity theft which he calls "soul vampirism."6:50 a.m.
• Macy's cuts 950 jobs
  The Macy's department store chain is closing its regional headquarters in Minneapolis and cutting some 950 local jobs in the process.7:20 a.m.
• Local theater scene makes old plays look new
  The State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis is running a touring production of "Sweeney Todd." The new version of the Stephen Sondheim musical is radically different from the original, which was first staged in 1979. Theater critic Dominic Papatola gives his take on the remake.7:25 a.m.
• What do delegates do next?
  Participants in Minnesota's Super Tuesday caucuses selected delegates who will play an important role in the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota. MPR's Perry Finelli talked to two delegates chosen in Tuesday's DFL caucuses.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• British Bishops Launch Carbon Fast
  With the season of Lent upon us, bishops in London and Liverpool have come up with a new kind of 40-day fast. Along with the aid agency Tearfund, the bishops have launched a carbon fast. Instead of giving up chocolate, how about giving up on plastic bags or incandescent light bulbs?
• Peruvian Mummies' Lice Came from Africa
  When humans migrated out of Africa 100,000 years ago, they were likely carrying stowaways. Scientists who've tested head lice taken from Peruvian mummies found the strains of these little parasites were nearly identical to those that were irritating our ancestors in Africa.
• Evacuees Slowly Returning to Chad
  Last week, rebels in Chad battled government forces for several days. The fighting sent tens of thousands of civilians streaming out of the country. Since the fighting ended, Chadians have started slowly returning. Lydia Polgreen, West Africa Bureau Chief for The New York Times, talks about the situation.
• Pine Leaf Boys: Keeping Cajun Music Alive
  The Pine Leaf Boys, a twentysomething band from Lafayette, La., brings youthful energy to traditional Cajun music. The group stuck it out in the region after Hurricane Katrina by playing whatever clubs are open, and received a Grammy nomination for its second album, Blues de Musicien.
• 'Anonymous' Wages Attack on Scientologists
  For the past several weeks, a video of Tom Cruise defending Scientology has been circulating on the Internet. When the Scientologists tried to get it taken down, an Internet group calling itself "Anonymous" said the organization was trying to limit free speech.
• Rural Tennessee Assesses Tornado Damage
  An unusually ferocious winter tornado system killed at least 55 people and injured hundreds more as it swept through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee earlier this week. Rural areas north of Nashville were the hardest hit.
• What Drives Record Spending on Defense?
  By the end of 2008, the United States will spend three-quarters of a trillion dollars on defense. Adjusted for inflation, the Pentagon's latest budget will be the highest since the end of World War II. Yet, over the past seven years, troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have faced equipment shortages and lack of proper armor.
• Clinton Loans Campaign $5 Million
  Two days after Super Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are preparing for a drawn-out, expensive duel that could last months before either one gets enough delegates to claim the nomination. Clinton announced Wednesday that she had loaned her campaign $5 million.
• Alaska Web Site Offers Transparency
  The government in Alaska launched a Web site this week listing every state expense of more than $1,000. It's the latest state to set up a Web site to let taxpayers see where their money is going. Ten other states have such sites.
• Three Companies Indicted in Tainted Pet Food Case
  Last year, thousands of pets died after eating canned pet food tainted with a chemical used for household cleaning. A federal grand jury in Kansas City has indicted three companies for their roles in producing and distributing the tainted pet food.
• Fuel Costs Have Airlines Teaming Up
  A merger between Delta and Northwest could be announced within weeks. A merger would result in the biggest airline in the world. United and Continental are also in talks. Major airlines, hit hard by fuel costs and the slowing economy, hope consolidation can improve business.
• Study Links Pot Smoking to Gum Disease
  A study in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association shows that routine smokers of marijuana have a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. Researchers speculate that pot smoking could negatively affect the body's immune system and inflammatory response.
• Alabama Community in Shock After Tornadoes
  The South is recovering from the deadly tornadoes that ripped through the region. A twister left a large mark where it cut through the Aldridge Grove community in Lawrence County, Ala. Among the dead are a former guardsman who served in Iraq, and his wife and son.
• Conservatives Bristle at McCain Nomination
  Arizona Sen. John McCain says he can win over conservatives anxious about his potential nomination, but some of the most prominent and outspoken in the Republican party, such as Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh, say otherwise.
• Conservation, Oil Exploration Debate Renewed
  Oil companies bid a record $2.6 billion for oil and gas leases for 29 million acres in waters off the northwest coast of Alaska. Those waters are home to the polar bear. The sale has touched off another round of debate about conservation versus exploration.

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