Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Resistant staph gains a foothold in Minnesota
  The number of antibiotic-resistant staph infections acquired outside of hospitals has doubled in Minnesota in the past year. Staph is a common bacteria that can cause all sorts of infections, some of them serious enough to cause death.6:50 a.m.
• Lawmakers pledge more cooperation in upcoming session
  Minnesota lawmakers return to the Capitol Wednesday for what they're hoping will be a brief and productive session. They want to avoid a repeat of last year, when gridlock resulted in the state's first partial government shutdown.7:20 a.m.
• Pumping up ethanol
  Motorists who use E85 ethanol sometimes have problems finding a station that sells it. U.S. companies are among those working to increase the number of pumps.7:25 a.m.
• Kiki Smith: The Gathering, 1980-2005
  A new exhibit at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis is a collection of works by American artist Kiki Smith. For the past 25 years, Smith has created art using a wide variety of materials which explore themes from human anatomy to fairy tales.7:50 a.m.
• Monday Markets
  MPR Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the economy.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Medicare Drug Benefit: A Two-Month Report Card
  This week marks the two-month anniversary of Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. Politicians are either proclaiming the program a resounding success, or a spectacular failure, depending on their party, while many patients are still experiencing problems getting their medicines.
• PalmPilot Creator Models Computer on Brain
  Jeff Hawkins created the PalmPilot and Treo smart phone. His new company, Numenta, is developing a type of computer memory system modeled after the human neocortex, what he calls the "the big wrinkly thing" at the top of the brain. He's also the co-author of the book On Intelligence, which details his vision of how the brain processes information.
• Marching Band Represents New Orleans in Parades
  High school marching bands have always played their part in New Orleans Mardi Gras parades. But with most city high schools closed, there are few local students marching this carnival season. One exception is the the MAX School's band.
• Mardi Gras Adjusts to Post-Katrina New Orleans
  Six months after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is celebrating Mardi Gras. The celebration this year is as lively as ever, but smaller. There are four fewer days, six fewer carnival krewes and every parade has to use the same route.
• U.N. May Upgrade Darfur Peace Force
  The Bush administration and the United Nations appear to be serious about putting a more robust peacekeeping force on the ground in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The idea is to turn a beleaguered and under-funded African Union force into a blue-helmeted U.N. force.
• Silent Movie Theater Keeps Film Goers Happy
  The silent movie theater in Los Angeles has a storied, and slightly sordid, history. The 64th anniversary of the theater is this month, and people are still showing up to watch movies from another era.
• Economists Predict Growth Spurt for U.S.
  The National Association for Business Economics says its survey of 53 economists predicts growth of about 4.5 percent in the first quarter. The economists also say the Federal Reserve is likely to raise interest rates two more times before this summer.
• Tragedy and Triumph Popular with Olympic TV Viewers
  Tivo has come up with its top three most replayed Olympic performances. The company sampled 20,000 of its customers on the Olympic moments they re-watched. The most popular: the spill that knocked a Canadian duo out of the medal race in the ice dancing competition. Next up were American skater Sasha Cohen's routine in the Short Program and Apollo Anton Ohno's speed skating triumph.
• DeLay Faces Tough Texas Primary Challenge
  Republican Congressman Tom DeLay of Texas was once the most powerful member of the House of Representatives. Now, under indictment and without a leadership post, he faces a tough challenge in the Republican primary on March 7th.
• U.S. Lawmakers Welcome New Ports Deal Review
  Dubai Ports World has asked for an additional 45-day review of its takeover of terminal operations at six ports in the United States. The company hopes to defuse national security concerns about handing that role to a company owned by the government of Dubai.
• Politician Exposes R-Rated Treats for Convicts
  New Zealand has a policy that inmates should not be exposed to R-rated films. But a government opposition leader says it's happened. Convicts saw Kill Bill, with its string of bloody and artistic revenge killings. They've also seen Blow, based on the true story of a drug dealer who teaches other inmates how to smuggle cocaine from prison.
• Dubai Ports World Accepts Closer Scrutiny
  Dubai Ports World is at the center of a debate over port security. The company has now said it would invite a closer review of its own operations.
• Political Fallout of Ports Deal Filters Through Washington
  Renee Montagne talks to NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts about the political furor over Dubai Ports World and its potential takeover of terminal operations at six U.S. seaports.
• Sectarian Killings Divide Integrated Baghdad Suburb
  Sectarian violence continues in Iraq after last week's bombing of a Shiite holy site north of Baghdad. In Doura -- a mixed suburb of Baghdad -- Sunni-Shiite killings over the past year have redrawn boundaries and marked residents by their sectarian affiliation.
• Saudi Security Forces Kill Oil-Facility Attack Suspects
  Saudi security forces shot dead five suspected militants on Monday, according to the Saudi government. The suspects were believed to be involved in a foiled attack on the world's biggest oil processing complex.

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