Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Ronald Reed guilty of murdering Officer Sackett
  Ronald Reed has been sentenced to life in prison, after being found guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder in the 1970 shooting death of a St. Paul police officer.6:50 a.m.
• New study targets farm ditches
  A new study finds hundreds of miles of farm drainage ditches don't comply with state law. That's a threat to Minnesota waterways.6:55 a.m.
• NWA and flight attendants hit tough compromises
  Northwest's deal with its flight attendants may signal the end of one episode in the two sides' arduous negotiations, but it doesn't mean the hard work is over.7:20 a.m.
• Should Congress license paid tax preparers?
  Congress is contemplating requiring a license for paid tax preparers. Only two state require that now and Minnesota isn't one of them.7:25 a.m.
• Harmony at Capitol may be short-lived
  The 2006 legislative session got underway Wednesday, with plenty of talk about bipartisan cooperation. State leaders are pledging a short, productive session. But they disagree on what the agenda should be, and that is already threatening their pledge of harmony.7:45 a.m.
• GOP peers into voters' data with CD
  Internet privacy experts say they're concerned that the party isn't telling the viewer that it's collecting the data and worry where the information will end up.7:50 a.m.
• "Fargo" the movie turns 10
  The tenth anniversary of the release of the movie "Fargo" gets royal treatment, coinciding with the city's 6th annual film festival.7:55 a.m.
• Guthrie opening final show in original location
  Theater fans have a chance to see one last play at the Guthrie before it moves to its new location. Shakespeare's Hamlet opens at the Guthrie this weekend, and will run for two months. Hamlet has some special resonance for the Minneapolis theater because it was the first play ever performed there.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Dr. John: 'We're Gonna Be Back' in New Orleans
  One of New Orleans' best-known native sons, the piano professor Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, was back in town for Mardi Gras this week. In a tour of devastated neighborhoods, he expresses fear that the city's unique grassroots culture has been uprooted.
• For Back Pain, Few Easy Answers on Surgery
  Americans get surgery for lower-back pain at a higher rate than any other country. Whether that's too many, too few -- or just right -- is a hotly debated subject in orthopedics. At the center of the debate is how to decide who should get surgery for lower back pain.
• On the Set: Decoding Film Production Jobs
  Behind every director is an army of men and women, marshaling dozens of cables, wires and lights. They work away from the spotlight so when the call for "Action!" comes, the cameras can roll. Susan Stamberg zooms in on two of these key offscreen players: the sound mixer and key grip.
• Bomb Kills Four Outside U.S. Consulate in Pakistan
  A car bomb exploded outside the United States Consulate and a luxury hotel in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city. The suicide attack killed at least four people -- including an American diplomat. President Bush is scheduled to visit Pakistan this weekend. Renee Montagne talks to reporter Kamran Khan in Karachi.
• U.S. and India Announce Nuclear Power Pact
  Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush announce that their nations have reached agreement on a landmark nuclear deal. Under the accord, India has agreed to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs. Civilian nuclear plants in India will now be open to international inspection.
• Presidential Tour Covers India's Past and Present
  Don Gonyea is traveling with President Bush and talks to Steve Inskeep about the nuclear agreement between the U.S. and India, and the president's visit to a shrine honoring Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi.
• Controversial California Prisons Chief Quits
  California's prison chief abruptly resigned his post last weekend, saying it was impossible to carry out his program of reform in the current political climate. Rod Hickman's tenure had been challenged by both prison reformers and people within the prison industry. Judy Campbell of member station KQED reports.
• 'Fargo' Movie Anniversary Celebrated with Screening
  The people of Fargo, N.D., celebrated the 10th anniversary of the movie Fargo by projecting the film on the side of a hotel last night so people could watch it outside. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Reha reports.
• Deal Elusive on New U.N. Human Rights Council
  The United States has argued strongly for the creation of a new human rights council at the United Nations. But U.N. ambassador John Bolton doesn't like the new version that's being proposed. Bolton says the plan would not prevent human rights abusers from getting on the council.
• Elegant Spine Also A Source of Pain
  The human spine is an elegant piece of architecture. But by middle age most people have spinal degeneration. Eight out of 10 people will suffer back pain at some point.

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