Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Fit in the classroom of the future
  Obesity in schools is being tackled with a new approach: classrooms that encourage students who get up and move.6:50 a.m.
• Eco-industry looking to launch in Superior
  Promoters say ethanol from trash may be possible in two years. That's just part of what's planned in Superior, Wisconsin. The Twin Ports first eco-industry could be on-line in two years.6:55 a.m.
• Minnesota National Guard troops celebrate end of training
  Later today, at a military post in Mississippi, 2600 Minnesota National Guard troops and some of their families will mark the end of training with a celebratory picnic. The soldiers are part of Minnesota's first brigade combat division, which will soon be shipping out for a year-long tour of duty in Iraq.7:20 a.m.
• Pawlenty plan spends some, saves some and shaves some taxes
  Gov. Pawlenty says the state needs more money to house sex offenders and to reduce the tax bite on married couples. Those initiatives are among the highlights of a supplemental budget plan the governor announced on Tuesday.7:25 a.m.
• A sneak peek at the new Central Library
  Minnesota Library officials say so far, the $125 million project is on schedule and on budget. The five-story, 365,000 sq. ft. building will house much more than books.7:50 a.m.
• Media "convergence" expert Rob Curley on how the media landscape is changing
  The McClatchy Company plans to sell off 12 of its publications after it purchases Knight-Ridder, including the Pioneer Press. Potential buyers will have to consider where a newspaper like the Pioneer Press fits into the future of journalism. Rob Curley is one of the country's leading web developers. He has thought, and written, a lot about where journalism is headed.7:55 a.m.
• Future Tense: McClatchy's Internet strategy
  When Sacramento-based McClatchy bought the 32 daily newspapers of the Knight Ridder chain, it also bought the papers' Web sites. Now, big changes are likely for the Web sites of the former Knight Ridder-owned properties, including those of the 12 newspapers McClatchy plans to sell in the months ahead.8:20 a.m.
• Culpepper headed to Miami
  Daunte Culpepper is Miami-bound. The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to trade the disgruntled quarterback to the Miami Dolphins for a second-round draft pick.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Retirees Demand Constant Activity in Arizona
  Driving north from Phoenix, you pass one huge retirement community after another: Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Grand. For decades, these communities have represented the cutting edge of retirement life. These days, that means satisfying the baby-boomer generation's quest for constant activity.
• Commemorate Caesar: Take a Deep Breath!
  It may have slipped your mind, but today is the 2050th anniversary of the assassination of Julius Caesar. In his final moments, Caesar let out a big gasp -- and chemists say molecules from Caesar's breath have made their way around the world. So take a deep breath...
• A Difficult Cut: A Father, A Son and Little League
  A new Little League season is beginning, but it can be a hard-knock life. Recently Al Lazard and his 11-year-old son Armando sat down for a frank conversation. It began with a question from Armando: "Dad, tell me the truth, why did you cut me off the team?"
• Mine Company: Lightning Caused Deadly Blast
  After its own investigation, the owners of a West Virginia coal mine where 12 miners died announced that lightning caused the deadly explosion early this year. This declaration allows the company to restart production at Sago Mine on Wednesday. State and federal officials continue their investigations. Dan Heyman of West Virginia Public Broadcasting reports.
• NCAA Brackets Draw Attention Away from Work
  In workplaces across the country this week, people are filling out NCAA tournament brackets and checking in on the games. Is productivity taking a hit, and are companies cracking down on March Madness at the office?
• Milosevic Death, Burial Could Rally Serb Nationalists
  The body of Slobodan Milosevic arrives in Belgrade, five years after the former Serb president was sent to The Hague to stand trial for war crimes. The pro-Western Serbian government is refusing to give Milosevic a state funeral. But it remains concerned his burial in Serbia could serve as a rallying point for ultra-nationalists.
• Suit Blames Ambien for Eating Binges, Sleepwalking
  Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the sleeping pill Ambien say the drug caused them to unknowingly binge eat and sleepwalk. Some doctors say not following prescription instructions might have caused the unusual side effects.
• Texas Fires Swallow Part of Panhandle
  Wildfires have burned 1,000 square miles of the Texas panhandle since Sunday. The fires are blamed for 11 deaths. Firefighters are relying heavily on air power; a fleet of 26 tanker aircraft is dropping fire retardant on the blaze.
• Judge to Force Google to Surrender Web Data
  A federal judge says he intends to force Google to turn over Web search data to the Department of Justice. In January, the department subpoenaed information contained in Google's database, claiming it would help prove the need for tougher laws against online pornography.
• Saddam Takes Stand, Calls Trial a 'Comedy'
  Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, testified for the first time on Wednesday at his trial in Baghdad. He called the proceedings a "comedy." The judge closed the session to the public when Saddam refused to follow orders.
• 'Better Off Wearing Nothing'
  "I would have been better off wearing nothing on at all." That's what Paul Kuschel of Fort Pierce, Fla., had to say after his fiery ordeal. He lives in a nudist colony. But he happened to be wearing nylon shorts as he fixed a generator over the weekend. It backfired and sprayed him with starter fluid, which caught his shorts on fire. After suffering second and third degree burns, Mr. Kuschel said, "It's a good thing I wasn't wearing a shirt."
• President Goes Local with Trip to New York
  President Bush visited Rochester, N.Y., on Tuesday. The President spoke to the local high school in a nearby town. The trip was a big event for local media and offered the president a chance to boost his image outside of the Washington media circus.
• Illegal Immigrants Worry States and Local Governments
  Cities, counties and states are worried about the cost of illegal immigrants. They are passing legislation in hopes of controlling it.
• Undocumented Immigrants Have Friend in Catholic Church
  In the first of two commentaries on immigration reform, Ruben Navarrette praises Cardinal Roger Mahony's stand against a House bill that would punish anyone who assists undocumented immigrants coming to the United States.
• Iranian Reformers Wary of U.S. Help in Push for Democracy
  Between the issues of Iraq and nuclear proliferation, the Bush administration has been talking about Iran frequently in recent speeches. Renee Montagne talks to Washington Post reporter Karl Vick about the Iranian reaction to the American push for democracy in Iran.

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