Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Weather comments from Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses how much snow has fallen so far this winter, and looks ahead at the seasonal outlook for our region.6:55 a.m.
• Johnson comments ignite smoldering marriage amendment debate
  Several organizations are criticizing Sen. Dean Johnson for saying members of the Minnesota Supreme Court told him the court would not overturn a state law banning gay marriage.7:20 a.m.
• Tim Dolan considered a contender for Minneapolis chief
  The man Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak wants to name as interim Minneapolis police chief is considered a contender for the permanent job. Assistant Chief Tim Dolan was recommended for the interim job the day after William McManus accepted an offer in San Antonio.7:25 a.m.
• Wolves to be delisted
  Federal officials have a new plan to take wolves off the endangered species list. Unlike previous proposals, the plan today only affects wolf management in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and parts of bordering states.7:45 a.m.
• Young people say MySpace.com should be private
  Teens and college students are flocking to MySpace.com. It is a social networking site where they post photos, music, and written stories about their lives. Anyone can gain access to the information, including parents and teachers. But many young people using the site say they want it to be their private space. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports.7:50 a.m.
• Pastor who recorded Sen. Johnson's comments has no regrets
  A pastor who secretly recorded State Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson's recent comments about gay marriage and the State Supreme Court, says he has no regrets he did so. Rev. Brent Waldemarsen of the Harvest Community Church in Willmar spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• 'Lord of the Rings' Takes the Stage
  After proving immensely popular on page and screen, The Lord of the Rings is about to take another leap. When J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy of fantasy novels makes its debut as a stage production in Toronto, audiences will hear Hobbits and elves sing. Just don't call it a musical, its producer says.
• Doubt Cast on Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Video
  It is the Zapruder film of birding: Four seconds of what some scientists say is proof that the ivory-billed woodpecker is not extinct. Now, skeptics have deconstructed every frame and say the bird caught on film is just a common pileated woodpecker.
• Poll: GOP Losing Edge on Foreign Policy Issues
  A new poll of likely voters finds support dropping for President Bush and his party on issues of foreign policy and national security -- areas of debate they once dominated.
• Brown Criticized for Bucking Federal Disaster Plan
  Michael Brown is being criticized again for his role in the response to Hurricane Katrina. The House committee investigating the government's response says that the former Federal Emergency Management Agency director did not give an official government disaster plan a chance to work.
• Authenticity of Costco Picassos Called into Question
  It was an amusing story last year when Costco sold a couple of genuine Picasso drawings. This week, Costco's Web site was offering a Picasso drawing of a bullfight, for nearly $150,000. But now the news is that they may be fakes. Picasso's daughter told the New York Times that the certificates of authenticity she signed were forged. Costco says it's investigating.
• 'Thank You for Smoking' Displays a Sense of Humor
  Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan reviews Thank You For Smoking. It is a satirical film about a super-lobbyist for the tobacco industry.
• California Seeks Federal Money for Levee System
  Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has highlighted the dismal state of the California levee system. He's declared a state of emergency and is asking for millions of dollars to repair the system. Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff will visit and inspect the levees on Friday as he weighs Schwarzenegger's request for more federal dollars. Tamara Keith of member station KPCC reports.
• Joshua's Tough Questions for His Mother
  Joshua Littman was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, when he was 5. When he was 9, he joined MENSA. Recently, Joshua, 12, wrote a list of questions to ask his mother.
• Understanding Asperger's Syndrome
  Renee Montagne talks with Rhea Paul, professor of communication disorders at Southern Connecticut State University and a researcher at Yale's Child Study Center, about Asperger's Syndrome. Paul explains the disability in the context of this week's StoryCorps installment that features a conversation between a child with Asperger's and his mother.
• War Protesters to Try New Strategy
  There will be demonstrations both for and against the war in Iraq this weekend in cities across America, which marks the third anniversary of the invasion. But Washington, D.C., will not be targeted this time. Opponents of the war have a new strategy.
• U.S. and Iraqi Military Push Forward with Offensive
  Dozens of people have been detained by the U.S. and Iraqi militaries as the press forward with an offensive near Samarra. More than 1,500 troops are deployed in what the military is calling an anti-insurgency sweep. Renee Montagne talks to BBC reporter Jim Muir.
• BET Founder on to Next Business Challenge
  Renee Montagne talks to Robert Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television. He retired as the company's CEO at the end of last year. Now he's on to his "second act." Johnson plans to build a consumer financial services company that targets black customers.
• Military Grows More Defensive About Guantanamo Prison
  In the four years since the United States prison in Guantanamo first opened, operations at the remote military detention center have continually evolved. And the clamor over treatment of the Guantanamo prisoners continues to grow stronger, pushing military officials into a defensive crouch.
• Lobbying Reform Proposal Attracts Skeptics
  Since the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal broke, the GOP has promised to reform rules on lobbying. House Republicans introduced some reform proposals Thursday. But the reforms face criticism from inside and outside the party.
• Palestinian Leader Abbas Grows Politically Weaker
  Israel's raid on a Palestinian prison in the West Bank this week has further eroded Palestinian support for president Mahmoud Abbas. He was already reeling from parliamentary rise to power of the militant Islamist party Hamas. Now many analysts say Israel's jail siege underscores Abbas' continued weakness.

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