Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• South Dakota tests program that'll pay kids to learn
  The National Math and Science Initiative gave $2 million to reach out to rural kids. The program encourages high school students to take Advanced Placement classes online in exchange for a cash bonus if they pass the final test.6:25 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the snowy weather and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.6:55 a.m.
• St. Cloud residents worry about bridge closure
  After safety concerns on Thursday prompted MNDot to close the Highway 23 bridge in St. Cloud, residents were faced with the news that road detours would remain in place indefinitely. Neighbors near the bridge are wondering what kind of disruption the closure will create.7:20 a.m.
• Officials weigh next steps for the DeSoto Bridge
  After closing of the main Mississippi River closings in St. Cloud, state transportation officials are working through their options to fix or replace the DeSoto bridge.7:25 a.m.
• Two conductors in one
  As part of a collaboration with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, music students at the University of Minnesota are getting the rare opportunity to work with a professional conductor.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• From the Beginning: A Look at Five Years of War
  NPR's Anne Garrels, who has been traveling back and forth to Iraq since before the war began, recalls some of the key moments and memorable people of the last five years — from looting in Baghdad after the fall of Saddam Hussein to the U.S. troop surge.
• Seeing Red over Injustice
  Mary Ellen Noone's great-grandmother became the victim of a vicious, racist store owner just for wearing nail polish. Noone says she's still angry that someone could have that much control over another person — who just wanted to feel like a woman.
• Writers Respond to a 'Faux Memoir' of Gang Life
  Writers respond to the revelation that a memoir describing a woman's childhood as a half-white, half-Native-American girl on the streets of South Central Los Angeles was actually written by a white girl from an affluent suburb.
• Housing Crisis Deepens Across Britain, Europe
  In Europe, the financial markets are laying off employees, homeowners are worried that house prices might start to fall, and businesses are concerned by a potential recession. Most observers blame financial insecurity in the U.S. for the downturn.
• Some Efforts to Safeguard Economy Boosted Risk
  Market jitters may have worsened this week with Bear Stearns' collapse, but it isn't the first time Wall Street has seen tough times. Ten years ago, the Federal Reserve stepped in to bail out the hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management. A journalist who wrote a book about it discusses whether history is repeating itself.
• Oil-Driven Land Proposal in Alaska Stirs Controversy
  The pursuit of new oil and gas reserves in Alaska is alarming local tribes. In the Yukon Flats region, north of Fairbanks, the tribes are concerned by negotiations involving a land swap with a federal agency to cash in on vast oil and gas deposits in a national wildlife refuge.
• Publishers Post 'Sneak Peeks' of New Books Online
  As an experiment, HarperCollins has posted complete electronic editions of a few books for free on its Web site, including titles by some of its well known authors. The publisher plans to post a fraction of new titles online before their publishing date as a "sneak peek."
• Aloha Airlines Files for Bankruptcy, Blasts Rivals
  Hawaii's second-largest airline has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, saying it's being driven from the skies by a new discount airline. Aloha's chief blasted its competition for what it calls "illegal" and "predatory pricing."
• Airlines Cut Unprofitable Flights as Fuel Prices Rise
  It's been a difficult time for the airline industry. The soaring price of jet fuel forced United to announce flight cutbacks. Delta also eliminated flights and plans to slash 2,000 jobs. Other carriers increased ticket prices, and that still won't be enough to offset what's expected to be another year of multibillion-dollar losses for the industry.
• FedEx Blames Economy, Pricey Fuel as Profits Dip
  FedEx saw its profits dip last quarter. The overnight shipping company warns that the year ahead may be more of the same as it feels the pinch of an economic slowdown and high gasoline prices.

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