Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New St. Paul mayor faces big budget deficit
  St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman gave his first State of the City speech after taking office in January, and said the city faces a $20 million budget shortfall.7:20 a.m.
• Armed with a new study, arts advocates lobby lawmakers
  The group Minnesota Citizens for the Arts is releasing a new study it says demonstrates the importance of the state's nonprofit arts community to the regional economy. The group plans to use the study to persuade lawmakers to dedicate more public money for the arts in Minnesota.7:25 a.m.
• Bids due for Knight Ridder
  Bids are due Thursday for the purchase of Knight Ridder, the parent company of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Analysts say there seem to be three remaining prospective buyers. Knight Ridder put itself up for sale about four months ago, when shareholders were unhappy with its stock price. Jack Sullivan is an officer for the St. Paul unit of the Minnesota Newspaper Guild.7:55 a.m.
• State and Orpheum Theaters announce upcoming season
  The State and Orpheum Theaters in Minneapolis this week announced the lineup for their next season of touring shows. The list includes Broadway hits "The Light in the Piazza" and "Doubt." St. Paul's Ordway Theater won't announce its season until April, but has already let slip that it'll host this year's blockbuster, "Monty Python's Spamalot." Dominic Papatola is a theater critic for the Pioneer Press and an arts commentator on Morning Edition.8:25 a.m.
• Culpepper wants to leave Vikings
  Dante Culpepper wants to leave the Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback says he has asked to be released if the team can't work out a trade. Sean Jensen covers the Vikings for the Pioneer Press.8:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Fight over Oil Money Percolates in Nigeria
  A Nigerian militant group holding three foreign oil workers hostage claims to be fighting to win a greater share of oil wealth on behalf of the Niger Delta's impoverished inhabitants. The government characterizes the militants as criminals and oil thieves.
• The Real West: Not So Wild?
  HBO's Deadwood couldn't return to TV soon enough for Ketzel Levine. So she heads off in search of the real West, and busts some myths along the way.
• House Committee Votes to Block Ports Deal
  In the latest sign of friction between President Bush and members of his party in Congress, a Republican-dominated committee votes to block the Dubai Ports World deal. The move by a House panel puts Congress on a collision course with the president, who has threatened a veto.
• Rhetoric Heats Up in Iran Nuclear Debate
  Iran threatens the United States with "harm and pain" if it tries to use the United Nations Security Council as a lever to punish the country for its nuclear activities. Washington is warning that Tehran has enough nuclear material for up to 10 atomic bombs. Renee Montagne talks to Greg Webb, editor for Global Security Newswire.
• Student Gladly Shares Life Details on the Web
  Steve Inskeep talks to a 22-year-old graduate student about why he posts so much of his personal information online. Jonthon Coulson says he doesn't consider silly profiles, political views and biographical data as private or personal. He actually savors feedback from his online community.
• Knight Ridder Puts Itself on Auction Block
  The auction process for Knight Ridder, one of the largest newspaper chains in the country, starts Thursday. The company announced last fall that it was putting itself up for sale. The move is an effort to satisfy shareholders, who want better returns on their investment in the company.
• Defense Attacks Prosecution Witness at Enron Trial
  A pivotal prosecution witness in the Enron trial underwent intense cross-examination Wednesday. The lawyer for former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling mounted a blistering attack on Andrew Fastow, Enron's former chief financial officer. Skilling's lawyer suggested Fastow is a masterful liar whose greed landed his own wife in prison. Skilling and Enron founder Kenneth Lay are on trial for fraud.
• Back Pain Treatments Can Be Tailor-Made
  When it comes to back pain, there are alternatives to surgery and prescriptions. Some doctors prescribe a combination of over-the-counter medications, exercise and pain-management techniques to get patients moving and pain-free.
• Researchers Identify Different Types of Back Pain
  Twenty years ago physical therapists treated all back pain in the same way. Now, new rules help therapists categorize a person's back pain and tailor each patient's treatment. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh devised the diagnostic technique.
• New York Stock Exchange Puts Out Stock in Itself
  You can now buy stock in the New York Stock Exchange. Wednesday was the exchange's first day as a publicly traded stock. The debut comes a day after the NYSE closed its merger with the electronic trading firm Archipelago Holdings. The NYSE is responding to pressure to modernize its operations.

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