Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Why Dems rule the city -- Republicans, the outer ring
  Is there something about breathing city air that turns you into a Democrat? Something about the suburbs that breeds Republicans?6:40 a.m.
• Rising country star pens song for 35W bridge benefit CD
  A new CD benefits the survivors and families of the 35W bridge collapse. The first track on the CD, and the only one written especially for this project, is by country music singer Rockie Lynne.6:50 a.m.
• Investigation continues into school bus accident that killed four
  The Minnesota State Patrol will continue its investigation today of a school bus accident which killed four students and injured more than a dozen others.7:20 a.m.
• SCSU seeks to teach tolerance
  Officials at St. Cloud State University say the best way to respond to a string of racially biased graffiti that's appeared on campus in recent months, is in the classroom.7:23 a.m.
• Pilots stalling Northwest and Delta merger
  Sources say an impasse between pilots at Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines is putting a proposed merger between the two companies in "serious jeopardy." The pilots at the two airlines still need to agree on how to consolidate their seniority lists, if the airlines combine. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio reporter Martin Moylan for an update on the story.7:50 a.m.
• Celebrating and satirizing Anton Chekhov
  Actors and musicians in Minneapolis are using the dark heart of winter as the perfect setting for celebrating and satirizing the great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.7:55 a.m.
• Petty attacks mark the presidential race
  Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton meet Thursday in a debate in Texas. Texas and Ohio are the next big contests in the Democratic race for president. So far, the candidates have generally been civil to one another, despite the tight contest. But commentator Peter Smith says that could be about to change.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Chief Beer Officer Does Best Work Before Lunch
  Scott Kerkmans was recently named as chief beer officer for the hotel chain Four Points by Sheraton. If you drink a beer in one of the hotels, chances are it was chosen after one of Kerkmans' rigorous morning tasting sessions. Yes, he drinks in the morning.
• Cigarette Put Out with Fire Extinguisher
  A man in Germany asked his girlfriend not to smoke, but she ignored him and lit up a cigarette. So he decided to put it out with a fire extinguisher.
• DVD Stops Bullet in Shooting
  Barry McRoy was leaving a Waffle House in Walterboro, S.C., when he encountered two men fighting over a gun. A shot was fired, and the bullet hit a DVD McRoy had in his pocket.
• Many Challenges Ahead for Kosovo
  The new country of Kosovo must ensure political stability, establish the rule of law and create a culture of accountability for its new international supervisors from the European Union.
• Forfeited Delegates May Get Second Look
  As Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton fight for every Democratic delegate at stake, the question remains what to do about delegates in Michigan and Florida. Both states forfeited their delegates when they moved their primaries up to January. Clinton supporters think the delegates should be reinstated.
• Text Messages Used to Incite Violence in Kenya
  Kenya is reflecting on a month of violence following a disputed presidential election in December. One feature of the bloody crisis has especially shocked many ordinary Kenyans is how the cell phone became a deadly tool of violence.
• Bush Pledges Not to Build Military Bases in Africa
  In Ghana on Wednesday, President Bush dispelled worries that the United States wants to build a military base in Africa. Ghana was the fourth stop on his five-country tour of Africa.
• Islamist Parties Suffer Heavy Losses in Pakistan
  Islamist parties in the volatile Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan lost seats on Monday to secular parities. Tarek Fatimi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, talks to Steve Inskeep about the implications of the vote.
• Obama Wins Again; McCain Cements Status
  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama won the Wisconsin primary Tuesday, beating Hillary Clinton by a margin of more than 10 percent. The victory was important for Obama who won the strong support of working-class voters. Republican presidential contender John McCain cemented his frontrunner status by beating Mike Huckabee.
• Australia Allowing Heavier Mail Carriers
  Australia is easing up on weight restrictions for new mail carriers. The old weight limit — 198 pounds — was determined by how much weight motorcycles could safely carry. The union had complained that made it hard to recruit new carriers.
• Price of Oil Ends Day at Record High
  The price of oil ended trading at a record high of $100.01 per barrel on Tuesday. Analysts say supply fears helped push prices up. If the prices stay above $100, companies and consumers could face higher costs.
• Sellers Boycott eBay over New Policies
  Online auction site eBay has changed the way it charges sellers a percentage of their take and will no longer allow sellers to rate buyers. A group of sellers began a weeklong boycott of the site on Monday.
• North Carolina Tries to Lure Military Contractors
  Eastern North Carolina is gearing up for an influx of military personnel as the Pentagon closes bases around the country. The state is banking on military contractors to follow them and has launched an aggressive strategy to get their business.
• Candidates Weigh Taking Federal Campaign Money
  Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain have not taken federal campaign financing funds. The money is appealing, but if campaigns take it, they are limited as to how much money they can spend.
• Retaliation Case Reaches Supreme Court
  The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case testing whether workers who claim they are fired for complaining about racial discrimination may sue for damages under a key civil rights statute.

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