Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• A chocolate renaissance
  The box of chocolates that you give your sweetheart this Valentine's Day may not contain the traditional candy flavors. Over the past few years, high-end chocolate boutiques have opened all across Minnesota. A Twin Cities chocolatier, B.T McElrath, helps explain this chocolate renaissance.6:40 a.m.
• Group calls for more privacy protection for newborns
  Nearly every infant in Minnesota receives a battery of tests to check for various health conditions. Critics are concerned that the state health department is collecting and keeping potentially sensitive genetic data.7:20 a.m.
• Reading the story of "El Lector"
  A lost era, a time when immigrant workers rolled cigars by hand in southern Florida, comes to life in "El Lector." It's a new book for young people, written by northern Minnesota author William Durbin.7:45 a.m.
• Minnesota athletes struggling in Turin
  It's a busy day at the Olympic Games in Turin, where curling, cross-country skiing, and men's figure-skating are all on the schedule. Jay Weiner is in Turin, covering the games for the Star Tribune and keeping track of all the Minnesota athletes.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Negro Leaguers Earn More Spots in Hall of Fame
  Baseball takes another step in its recognition of the Negro Leagues' contributions to the sport when 39 candidates are voted on at the end of this month in a special election for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Saddam Claims to Go on Hunger Strike
  Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein said at his trial Tuesday that he and seven co-defendants have been on a hunger strike for three days to protest their treatment by the court. Saddam is charged in the killing of nearly 150 Shiite Muslims in the town of Dujail. His trial is scheduled to resume in two weeks.
• U.S. Gold Medalist Donates Award to Darfur Refugees
  American speed skater Joey Cheek did something very unusual after winning the 500 meter race at the Winter Olympics. He announced he's contributing his $25,000 gold medal award from the U.S. Olympic Committee to refugees from Darfur.
• A Valentine's Message, Writ Large
  Hallmark reports its most popular Valentine depicts a red rose on red foil, but one Kansas farmer decided to say it with soybeans. Richard Patrick used his tractor to carve the words "Be My" in his soybean field, next to a giant heart. The object of this romantic gesture -- Delrena -- said her husband usually just buys a card. But then, the Patricks are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
• Boat Mishap Sends Dutch Shoe-Shoppers to the Shore
  Residents of a Dutch island have no need to shop for shoes at the mall: They go to the beach. A passing cargo ship on its way to Hamburg hit an overnight storm and lost nine containers full of briefcases, toys, hamburgers and shoes. Thousands of shoes washed up on shore, and hundreds of people raced out to find their size. A local newspaper reporter says that when clothes wash ashore, you see people wearing them for years afterwards.
• Katrina Evacuees Object to End of Hotel Subsidies
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency is ending its hotel subsidy program for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in favor of rental assistance. But many people say they can't find any place to rent in the New Orleans area and may be forced into shelters.
• Lebanon Marks Anniversary of Hariri's Death
  Huge crowds at Martyr's Square in Beirut mark the anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination. One year ago, a bomb took the life of Hariri and 20 others, and ensuing protests led to the withdrawal of Syria's military from Lebanon.
• Company's Takeover of U.S. Ports Raises Security Concerns
  A company based in the United Arab Emirates is taking over the operation of six American ports, including New York, Baltimore and New Orleans. Dubai Ports Worldwide is buying London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation. New York Sen. Charles Schumer has criticized the deal, saying he is concerned about outsourcing services that affect national security.
• Iraqi Official Discusses Pace of Municipal Rebuilding
  Steve Inskeep talks to Nasreen Berwari, Iraq's Minister of Municipalities and Public Works, about the pace of reconstruction in Iraq. She was in the United States last week, touring waste treatment facilities.
• It's Valentine's Day. How About a Furnace?
  Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne report on companies' capitalizing on Valentine's Day and sentimental marketing to push products. Interested in a new furnace with a free digital thermostat? It's listed on a Web site under the heading "Great Valentine Gift Ideas."
• Army Corps of Engineers' McCoy on Iraq Reconstruction
  Renee Montagne talks to Brig. Gen. William McCoy, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, about why it's taken so long to deliver essential services such as clean water and electricity to Iraqis. McCoy took charge of overseeing U.S. contracting projects there in December.
• Britain May Require National ID for Passports
  Britain's House of Commons has approved legislation that would make citizens present a national identity card in order to obtain a passport. The current measure is a compromise on an earlier version, which would have required a national ID for all British citizens. The bill now goes to the House of Lords.
• White House Official Defends Katrina Response
  Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep report on the comments of Frances Townsend, the White House assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, about her defense of the administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.
• 'Idol' Delivers Ratings Power for Fox
  Fox's vocal competition show American Idol has returned to Tuesday and Wednesday nights with big numbers while other networks tremble before the show's power to attract viewers.
• Justice Department Offers Legal Reasoning for Surveillance
  Renee Montagne speaks with Steve Bradbury, head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, about the legal justification for the Bush administration's controversial domestic surveillance program. Bradbury says existing laws allow for the program because it identifies enemies in the ongoing war on terror.

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