Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Hydro power may be St. Paul Ford plant's salvation
  Ford Motor Co. plans to announce nine more plant closings over the next few years. So far, the Ford assembly plant on the Mississippi River in St. Paul has been spared. Some say the reason may have to do with a unique asset at the site -- hydroelectricity.7:21 a.m.
• Pawlenty say's he'll support bonding for the DECC
  Governor Pawlenty says he's ready to support plans to expand Duluth's Entertainment and Convention facility. Pawlenty initial rejected the project from his initial bonding recommendations, saying he was concerned about Duluth's financial health, because of its outstanding retiree health care obligations.7:41 a.m.
• Small companies experiment with perks on a budget
  When the '90s tech bubble burst, the decline in stock prices brought on a decline in ritzy workplace perks as well. Turning a profit suddenly became more trendy than over-the-top incentives like free cars, or office distractions like pinball machines. Some companies do still offer generous workplace extras. But experts say companies have been thinking more strategically about how to deliver perks on a budget.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Taliban Using Iraq Insurgency Tactics in Afghanistan
  The Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan appears to have shifted tactics in recent months, adopting some of the methods already in use by the much deadlier insurgency in Iraq. In addition to resorting to suicide bombs, the Taliban has begun burning schools and targeting local government employees.
• Kwan Pullout Shuffles U.S. Skating's Deck
  Michelle Kwan's withdrawal from the Winter Olympics opens the door to Emily Hughes, 17, the younger sister of 2002 gold medalist Sarah Hughes. Renee Montagne talks to USA Today columnist Christine Brennan about the U.S. figure skating team's prospects in Turin.
• Makeshift Katrina Landfill Raises Safety Concerns
  New Orleans has reopened an old garbage dump to handle the hundreds of tons of debris left in Hurricane Katrina's wake. But some toxic waste experts and environmentalists fear the landfill lacks environmental safeguards and protections against toxic waste.
• Chick Corea, on 'The Ultimate Adventure'
  Last week, legendary jazz keyboardist Chick Corea released a new album titled The Ultimate Adventure. It features a blend of Corea's signature style from the 1970s with some modern twists. The album was inspired in part by the writings of Scientologist L. Ron Hubbard.
• Upcoming House Report on Katrina Details Failures
  A report from investigators in the House, due for release Wednesday, is expected to fault all levels of government in the response to Hurricane Katrina. Authors of the report, "A Failure of Initiative," outline 90 serious flaws in the response -- ranging from ineffective leadership at the Department of Homeland Security to inadequate state and local plans for evacuation to a "fog of war" at the White House.
• Two Gold Medals for United States in Olympic Opening Weekend
  The U.S. won two gold medals over the weekend, but it also had some disappointments. Figure skating star Michelle Kwan withdrew from the Games and the Americans failed to gain any medals in the men's downhill.
• Clerical Error Jeopardizes Deficit-Reduction Law
  A $39 billion deficit-reduction bill signed by President Bush last week may be in dispute. The bill passed the House by a mere two votes, and it passed the Senate only after Vice President Dick Cheney broke a tie. But a clerical error worth hundreds of millions of dollars has led House Democrats to consider forcing a revote.
• Top-Line Treatment, Treadmills and All, for Dog Show Entrants
  The Westminster Kennel Club Dog show gets under way this morning at Madison Square Garden. But with a record snow storm blanketing New York in drifts, don't let the dogs out. Instead of a walk in Central Park, dogs at one hotel catering to many of the 2500 entrants can hop on a Jog-a-Dog treadmill. The Hotel Pennsylvania also provides doggie loos and a doggie concierge.
• All the Rage at the Toy Fair: Robotics
  The International Toy Fair is under way in New York. This year's big trend: robotic toys. Thanks to cheaper microchips, most of the toys at the year's fair have a little computer. There's a life-like pony named Butterscotch that moves its head towards you when you pet it. And, there's a Superman "inflata-suit," which makes it look like you're growing muscles. And Ken is back, buff, with a new hairstyle, hoping to win back Barbie.
• Crafting a Smarter, Gentler Cell Phone
  We've all had these moments in movie theaters or in meetings when we hear the annoying ring of a phone and suddenly realize, to our horror, that it's our own phone. Engineers are trying to solve this problem. They're developing polite cell phones that can tell when to keep quiet, and when it's OK to interrupt.
• Congo Violence Creates Medical Crisis
  Hundreds are dying daily in the embattled Democratic Republic of Congo. But most of the deaths aren't from bullets. Disease and malnutrition are taking a steady toll. After years of civil strife, the health care system in much of the Central African country has collapsed. In one town, the organization Doctors Without Borders is attempting to provide services to nearly 20,000 refugees.
• 1st Lt. Garrison Avery Laid to Rest Monday
  1st Lt. Garrison Avery, who was with the 101st Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell, Ky., died earlier this month in a roadside bomb attack. Funeral services are set for today at the West Point Military Academy. Martin Wells of Nebraska Public Radio has this remembrance.
• Winter Heating Costs Lower Than Expected
  Thanks to a mild winter, people who heat their homes with natural gas have gotten a break on their heating bills. Warmer than average temperatures have helped cut the price of natural gas since December.
• U.S. Military Looks to Security Handoff in Iraq
  Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, says he expects this year will mark a major change as Iraqi forces assume the burden of the conflict. The United States expects to cut troop levels in Iraq this year, but Abizaid is making no absolute promises.
• Political Impact of Katrina Report
  Renee Montagne talks to Cokie Roberts about the political fallout of the Katrina report.

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