Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Cities worry about further cuts in state aid
  As the state grapples with a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall, some city officials worry Pawlenty might dip into the money cities get from the state.7:20 a.m.
• Proposal would restrict hallucinogenic plant
  During the summer months, it is pretty common to see the dark purple or scarlet flowers of the salvia plant in gardens around the region. However, there is a type of salvia that some Minnesota lawmakers want to add to a list of controlled substances: Salvia divinorum.7:25 a.m.
• Can the pilots kill off industry consolidation?
  Can Northwest and Delta pilots kill industry consolidation if they fail to reach agreement on combining seniority lists?7:50 a.m.
• New St. Paul school honors the achievements of Gordon Parks
  Gordon Parks High School will be a fitting tribute to the artist and photographer, his family says.7:55 a.m.
• A first look at the Guthrie's 'Little House on the Prairie'
  The Guthrie Theater will premiere a new version of "Little House on the Prairie" this summer. The musical is based on the popular series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and arts critic Dominic Papatola got a first look at the show this week.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Independent Group Airs Anti-McCain Ad
  Even before John McCain clinched the Republican presidential nomination, an obscure liberal group fired the first shot of what's expected to be a wildly expensive advertising war in the White House race.
• Gaza Neighborhood Caught in Crossfire of Attacks
  A recent Israeli assault on Gaza left 120 Palestinians dead, including dozens of civilians. Israeli officials say more than 150,000 Israelis live under the threat of rocket fire from Gaza, which the incursion was meant to suppress. In one Gaza neighborhood, the violence is equally real.
• Motives of Grand Canyon Flush Questioned
  The federal government has begun unleashing a two-and-a-half day flood in an attempt to improve the habitat for endangered fish. It's the third artificial flood in the past 12 years, but some say the experiment doesn't go far enough.
• Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown: A Superdelegate Speaks
  Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, assesses his party's presidential nominating race and the role of his fellow superdelegates.
• Air Force Deal with Airbus Enrages Congress
  Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are furious over the U.S. Air Force's decision to buy French-built Airbus air tankers. But Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Congress can't do much about the deal with EADS-Northrop.
• Loss of Contract Stuns Boeing Workers, Neighbors
  Shock, disappointment and anger abound in the state of Washington as Boeing loses a $40 billion Air Force contract to European rival EADS. Boeing had supplied the Pentagon with refueling tankers for nearly 50 years.
• Buffett Rises to Top of 'Richest' Roster
  Forbes magazine says investment guru Warren Buffett is now the wealthiest man in the world, with a fortune estimated at $62 billion. Matthew Miller of Forbes runs down this year's billionaire list.
• Fidelity Investments Draws SEC Fine
  The SEC fines Fidelity Investments, the nation's largest mutual fund manager, more than $8 million. More than a dozen current and former employees of the Boston-based firm were accused of improperly accepting about $1.5 million in luxury gifts.
• Helen Keller 'Doll' Photo Turns Up
  A recently uncovered 1888 photo of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, is notable because it shows the young Keller holding a doll. "Doll" was the first word the "Miracle Worker" Sullivan spelled out for her blind, deaf student — who amazed the world by learning to read and write.
• Russia, India Dent Billionaire List
  The U.S. still produces the most billionaires on the annual Forbes list. But four of the Top 10 on the list come from India. And the city with the most billionaires? That would be Moscow.
• Cookie Payoff Burns Indiana Court Workers
  Copies of a divorce decree cost $5 each in Allen County, Indiana ... cash money. So when a bakery owner paid in cookies, one courthouse employee was reprimanded, and two were dismissed. Officials say taking cookies instead of cash was using a public job for personal gain.
• GOP Leadership Gets Behind McCain
  Having amassed enough delegates to become the Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona is consolidating GOP support. President Bush hosted him Wednesday for a White House lunch, and McCain also met with Republican National Committee leaders.
• New York Pub Bans 'Danny Boy'
  As St. Patrick's Day nears, an Irish bar in New York — Foley's Pub — is banning "Danny Boy," calling the teary-eyed ballad "too depressing." It's not quite authentic, either. The lyrics are set to an old Irish tune, but they were written by an Englishman who had never set foot in Ireland.
• Who Will McCain Pick to Run for VP?
  When the next president is inaugurated, Sen. John McCain — the presumptive Republican nominee — will have turned 72. Will his age affect his choice of a running mate?
• Rice Seeks More NATO Help in Afghanistan
  U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is asking NATO to send more troops to Afghanistan. On a visit to Brussels Thursday, she will also urge additions to the alliance, including two former Soviet republics.

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