Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• The eagle viewing is easy along the Minnesota River
  Late winter days offer Twin Cities residents an opportunity to get a close-up view of an environmental success story: The return of the American bald eagle.6:50 a.m.
• Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley stops by the studio to talk about the weather.6:55 a.m.
• NWA, pilots still locked in negotations
  Northwest Airlines' pilot's union has voted to authorize a strike, and the airline could ask a bankruptcy judge to void the union's contract, but for now both sides are still trying to arrive at a cost-cutting agreement through negotiation.7:20 a.m.
• DUI charges against Eller prompt concern
  The drunk driving charges against Carl Eller are especially surprising to people who know the former Viking through his work on chemical dependency issues. Chemical dependency counselors say relapse is always a concern with those who have experienced drug or alcohol problems.7:25 a.m.
• Hmong send U.N. letters on desecrated graves
  Many members of the Hmong community are sending letters to the U.N. to register their complaints about a gravesite in Thailand that was desecrated.7:50 a.m.
• The first World Baseball Classic begins
  The World Baseball Classic is underway, and several Minnesota Twins are on some of the 16 teams participating. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with La Velle E. Neal III who covers the Twins for the Star Tribune.8:25 a.m.
• Garden guru Deb Brown
  The garden guru Deb Brown answers listener questions about plants, gardens, and lawns.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Bordelons and Ronald Lewis: Mardi Gras Update
  Steve Inskeep checks in with some New Orleans residents with whom he has been in touch since Hurricane Katrina hit. The Bordelon family lives in St. Bernard Parish. Ronald Lewis is the president of a Ninth Ward social club.
• A Family Tradition: Striving and Learning
  More than 30 years ago, Connie Alvarez's parents crossed the border from Mexico, seeking work and greater opportunity. Recently Connie and her mother, Blanca, remembered their early years in the United States.
• Mining Offers Potential, and Challenges, for Congo
  Mining is hugely important to the economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo. But due to a civil war and ongoing conflicts in the east of the country, the Congo's mines now produce just a fraction of their former revenue. All that could change as peace returns and more of the country falls under the control of the central government in Kinshasa.
• An Actor's Best Friend? The Casting Director
  In the final part of a series on the movie industry, we take a look at the Hollywood job on which so many acting jobs depend: the casting director. Casting directors are on the front line for actors, agents and directors. They must be fans and professionals at the same time.
• 'Block Party' Is Chappelle at His Best
  Dave Chappelle's Block Party is a mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes. It's a movie inspired, in part, by the 1973 documentary Wattstax. The movie is a fun mix of music and Chappelle at his best.
• Real Estate Commissions Under Pressure
  Economist Steven Levitt talks to Renee Montagne about the future of real estate agents. Levitt says their standard six-percent commission may become a thing of the past. The Internet is putting pressure on the fees that agents have become accustomed to.
• President Bush Touts India as an Opportunity
  Can India become a key export market instead of a place where U.S. companies send jobs? On a visit to the Indian School of Business in the southern city of Hyderabad, President Bush highlights trade opportunities with a nation of more than 1 billion people.
• Critics Hound Administration on Dubai Ports Deal
  Lawmakers' complaints about the Bush administration's handling of the Dubai Ports World deal continue to grow. The Senate Armed Service Committee is preparing legislation to block the Dubai-based company from managing terminal operations at six U.S. ports.
• Senate Takes up Immigration Reform
  The Senate Judiciary Committee has begun work on its version of immigration reform. One controversial provision would allow certain kinds of workers to enter the country legally, but without being given permanent residency or citizenship.
• Arroyo Halts State of Emergency in Philippines
  Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has lifted a week-old state of emergency. Security advisers say the threat of a coup has eased. Economic conditions are so bad, however, that many Filipinos might look favorably on a change in government.
• Hamas Leaders Meet with Russian Government
  Three days of talks are under way in Moscow between Hamas leaders and Russian officials. The Kremlin says it will press the Palestinian militant group to soften its stance toward Israel. But Hamas says there are no plans to recognize the Jewish state.
• Chad Oil Revenues Deal in Doubt
  Exxon Mobil and the World Bank made a deal to put royalties from Chad's rich oil reserves into a "transparent account." Chad's government agreed that the money would help the poor with better health care, schools, and roads. Now, Chad's government has changed course. Steve Inskeep discusses the impasse over oil revenues with Nikki Reisch of the Bank Information Center, a watchdog group that focuses on human rights issues.
• Justice Knocked Out by Oral Arguments
  This may explain why the Supreme Court doesn't allow cameras in the courtroom. The Court heard arguments this week over Congressional districts in Texas. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg appeared to be intently reading something during the arguments. Close observation showed she was really napping. According to Bloomberg News, the snooze lasted fifteen minutes.
• NFL Negotiates with Union Over Contract Extension
  The NFL's free-agent signing period was supposed to begin Friday. Instead, the league has bought itself some time as it tries to hammer out a contract extension with the Players Association. The NFL and the union now have about three days to work out an extension that could add about $10 million in salary-cap room.
• The Longest Drive
  Maybe you think a titanium driver will help you hit longer shots on the golf course. But that's nothing compared to the technology that Russia may apply to the game. The BBC reports that Russians want to set a record for the longest drive. They want a cosmonaut to hit a ball from the International Space Station. If NASA agrees -- and if the cosmonaut manages to hit the ball while wearing a spacesuit -- it could stay in orbit four years, and travel millions of miles.

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