Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Heating assistance requests up ten percent
  A record numnber of Minnesota families need help with their heating bills this winter. So far, about ten percent more families have been served by the state's low income energy assistance program.6:50 a.m.
• Mosque opens doors to help dispel rumors
  Leaders of a Minneapolis mosque have been vigorously fighting accusations linking them to a number of missing Twin Cities men -- men that some believe have returned to Somalia to fight in that country's civil war. Last night they took a different approach by hosting an open house at the mosque.7:20 a.m.
• Feds arrest 27 in Minnesota in drug smuggling crackdown
  Federal agents have arrested some 750 people across the country in a crackdown on Mexican drug cartels, including 27 people in Minnesota.7:45 a.m.
• Art Hounds: Week of Feb. 26
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside our own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on this weekend.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Cezanne's Shadow: A Master's Influence Lingers
  From Matisse to Mondrian, Braque to Giacometti — the list of venerable artists who were inspired by Paul Cezanne reads like the syllabus of an art history class. Now, a new exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art celebrates the master painter's legacy.
• Deskercise: Staying Jazzed And Focused At School
  Some schools are working short physical activity breaks into classes. Proponents of this movement-based learning say these short "deskercises" or "energizers" help kids stay focused — and burn off some calories, too.
• Expert: 10-Minute Workouts Can Have Big Payoff
  Proponents of the micro-exercise movement say incorporating short activity breaks during the work day can make you healthier and more productive. Dr. Toni Yancey of UCLA says that even that little bit of exercise can trigger more lasting healthy changes.
• Sen. Kerry Says Syria Could Help U.S. Interests
  Democratic Sen. John Kerry recently sat down with the president of a country that the U.S. says sponsors terrorism. Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says Syria could play a constructive role in U.S. policy in places like Iraq and Gaza.
• Pakistan's Army Chief Key To U.S. Plans In Region
  Within the next few weeks, the Obama administration will unveil its new strategy — and goals — for Pakistan and Afghanistan. One of the central figures in that strategy is Pakistan's army chief of staff, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, who has been meeting with U.S. officials this week in Washington.
• Schools Say Stimulus Package Is Too Late
  President Obama said in his address to Congress Tuesday that education is one of his top priorities. He's offering up $115 billion toward schools in his stimulus package. However, local school officials say that money may not be enough.
• Impact Of No Child Left Behind Is Debatable
  Seven years after the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law, Congress has struggled to answer a simple question: Is it working? Lawmakers could learn a lot about the pros and cons of the law from a group of high school debaters.
• Cargo Hauling At Calif. Ports Will Go Greener
  The neighoring Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have some of the dirtiest air in a region that helped make smog famous. This week, a new all-electric, nonpolluting cargo hauler goes into service that may help make the nation's busiest freight center a little greener.
• China Vows Reprisal Against Auction House
  Christie's, the international auction house, just sold two ancient Chinese bronze sculptures in France that were part of the art collection owned by late designer Yves Saint Laurent. Beijing says the pieces should have been returned to China, where they were looted in the 19th century, and it demanded that the auction be canceled. But Christie's went ahead and sold the items for $36 million. Beijing has ordered officials to tighten inspection of items that the auction house brings in and out of China, making it harder for the company to do business there.
• Firm, Closing Plant, Advertises Workers' Skills
  Electronics manufacturer Jabil Circuit Inc. is closing a plant in Massachusetts, and it's taking an unusual step. It has placed an ad in The Boston Globe urging other employers to contact the company if they want to hire exceptionally skilled and experienced employees.

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