Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• A divided delegation in the U.S. House
  Debate on the House floor in Washington will focus on a supplemental war spending bill that includes a date to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talks with members of Minnesota's congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle, Republican John Kline and Democrat Betty McCollum.6:50 a.m.
• Audit: St. Paul Fire Department in crisis
  The audit comes in the wake of deteriorating labor management relations, and a union vote of no confidence against Chief Doug Holton.7:24 a.m.
• Rochester's Muslims reach out
  The Rochester mosque is hosting monthly open houses for non-Muslims. The goal is to combat ignorance in a time when cultural tensions are high.7:43 a.m.
• Gophers in the Frozen Four
  The University of Minnesota mens' hockey team earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, but was put in a difficult West Regional which includes a long-time rival.7:48 a.m.
• Odds are against graduating orchestra hopefuls
  U.S. colleges and conservatories graduate 3,000 music performance majors each year, but the number of orchestra positions is less than 300. University of Minnesota music students are aware of of the difficulties of finding an orchestra position, they're still willing to work hard and buck the odds.7:53 a.m.
• Where have all the arts leaders gone?
  Kathy Halbreich is only the latest arts leader in the Twin Cities to step down from her job. Halbreich announced this week she's leaving the top post at the Walker Art Center in the fall. But a fairly long list of cultural organizations have also lost top executives in the past few years.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Researchers Finding Ways to Sterilize Transplants
  When surgeons rebuild a knee or spine, they often use bones or tendons from cadavers. Previously, there was no way to sterilize these tissues without destroying them. Now, researchers are finding new ways to sterilize the bones and tendons and lower the risk of infection.
• Colombia Seeks Continuation of U.S. Aid
  Colombia's Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington. He's lobbying for continued U.S. support of a program to combat coca growing and drug trafficking.
• Iraqis Move North to Escape Violence
  Northern Iraq has become home to many people trying to escape the violence further to the south. Kristele Younes, of the humanitarian group Refugees International, recently traveled there to interview displaced people.
• FDA Changing Rules on Advisory Committee Service
  The Food and Drug Administration is changing the rules on who can serve on its advisory committees. Some members who have advised the agency on drugs and medical devices have had financial dealings deemed to represent conflicts of interest.
• Gore Stands Up to Critics of Global Warming
  Dana Milbank, a columnist for The Washington Post, offers his view of former Vice President Al Gore's appearance on Capitol Hill. Milbank says that Gore's testimony on global warming was solid, but didn't live up to its billing.
• Sales of Music CDs Drop by 20 Percent
  As online music sales have increased, sales of compact discs have plummeted. Over the past few years, the drop has been in the single digits. But lately, retailers have seen CD sales drop 20 percent.
• Enormous Airbus A380 Jet Looks for U.S. Friends
  The world's biggest passenger airplane — the Airbus A380 — made its first promotional flights in the United States this week. But the European company behind it is having problems selling the giant.
• Senate Holds Hearing on Lending-Industry Troubles
  Senate lawmakers grill executives Thursday from some of the country's major home lenders, and the regulators who oversee them. The hearing will focus on the boom in lending to people with low incomes or weak credit.
• Creator of Video Mocking Sen. Clinton Fired from Job
  The man behind an anonymous ad on YouTube, which mocks Hillary Clinton using the "Big Brother" imagery of Apple Computer's "1984" commercial, is no longer anonymous. He's also out of a job.
• Letters: DeLay, a Correction and Hooters in Israel
  Our interview with former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay drew many listener responses this week. Also this week, a correction and a question about the news worthiness of reporting that a Hooters restaurant is opening in Israel.
• Smithsonian Leadership, Management Questioned
  A study identifies major problems with the way the Smithsonian Institution is being run. Now one lawmaker on Capitol Hill wants to freeze increases to the Smithsonian's budget.
• Democrats Lay Groundwork for Subpoenas
  The House and Senate are both pushing to subpoena White House aides over the firing of eight United States attorneys. A House subcommittee voted Wednesday to authorize subpoenas for key administration officials. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to do the same Thursday.
• Former House Counsel on Congressional Subpoenas
  The White House is likely to fight any Congressional subpoenas it receives related to the firings of eight United States Attorneys. Stanley Brand, a former general counsel to the House, talks about what to expect from Congress.
• Congress Moves Toward Fight with White House
  Congress is closer to a legal standoff with the White House. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected Thursday to give its chairman the power to subpoena White House aides over the firings of eight federal prosecutors. The House Judiciary Committee did the same Wednesday.
• Al Gore Testifies Before Congress on Global Warming
  Former Vice President Al Gore went to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to testify about the effects of global warming. He went face to face with global-warming critics in the Congress and told them that they need to act quickly, or the nation's grandchildren will pay the price.

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