Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Red River flood -- what's changed since 1997?
  The potential for flooding is very different in some Red River valley communities, because of measure that were taken after the 1997 floods.6:20 a.m.
• A March pilgrimage reveals resurgent wildlife
  Chaucer says April is the month for pilgrimages. But Peter Smith prefers to set out on a late March afternoon. Smith makes his March pilgrimage through the beautiful Minnesota countryside -- wildlife and all.6:55 a.m.
• Farmer's home an island next to the flooding Red River
  Noreen Thomas lives on a farm 15 miles north of Moorhead, and it's now an island surrounded by water. Thomas spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about her situation.7:20 a.m.
• Coleman appeal could play constitutional wild card
  Many Republicans are urging Norm Coleman to appeal if the three-judge panel rules against him in his Senate recount trial against Al Franken. The appeal could hinge on equal protection language in the U.S. Constitution.7:25 a.m.
• Update on the flood preparations in Fargo
  Thousands of sandbags will be filled and stacked again today in the Fargo-Moorhead area as residents and volunteers try to keep the rising Red River from flooding their communities. MPR's Dan Gunderson has an update.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Mexican Drug Cartels Recruiting Young Men, Boys
  Nearly 2,000 people have been murdered in Ciudad Juarez in the past 14 months, many of them just boys. Some 80 percent of the victims are younger than 25, and social workers say the violence is fueled by cartels recruiting younger members.
• Gyuto Monks: Ancient Practice, Modern Sound
  One of the side effects of the Dalai Lama's half-century exile is that the rest of the world has gotten access to some esoteric parts of Tibetan culture — like polyphonic throat singing. Now, thanks to a new recording by former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, anyone can hear a sound that was cloistered in Himalayan monasteries for centuries.
• Car Stereo Theft: A Dying Crime
  Stereo thefts plagued car owners in the 1990s, but experts say it's no longer a big problem. Cheap models from China and better factory-installed car stereos mean it no longer pays to steal them.
• Will Democrats Seek GOP Votes Or 'Reconciliation'?
  Congress is preparing for a big fight over President Obama's ambitious budget overhaul of the nation's health care, energy, and tax policies. Many Democrats want to consider the budget under a process known as "reconciliation." The Republican minority fears being excluded, and even some Democrats say their victory could be Pyrrhic if a large minority is left out.
• Bill Expanding AmeriCorps Prompts Funding Debate
  The Senate is considering its version of a bill to triple the size of AmeriCorps, the national service program. The House passed a similar bill last week with bipartisan support. While increasing volunteer opportunities is popular, some critics question whether it makes sense for the government to pay billions of dollars to make it happen.
• Report: Most Americans Don't Get Enough Vitamin D
  Three out of every four Americans are deficient in vitamin D. That's a big increase, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
• U.S. Wary Over Planned N. Korean Rocket Launch
  During the first week in April, North Korea is expected to launch a three-stage, long-range rocket for only the third time in its history. The North Koreans say the rocket is designed to put a satellite in orbit. But some worry the launch may be a test of a long-range ballistic missile.
• Analyst: U.S. Overtures Highlight Divisions In Iran
  President Obama sent a video message to Iran on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, seeking to ease long-strained relations between the two nations. Iranian-American analyst Karim Sadjadpour says the Iranian community in neighboring Dubai seemed heartened by Obama's message — and disappointed in Iran's response.
• Some AIG Executives Agree To Return Bonuses
  New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says 15 of the 20 AIG executives who received the largest of those controversial bonuses have agreed to return the money. The insurance giant is the largest recipient of government bailout money, yet it recently paid $165 million to reward executives.
• Some Private Investors Praise Treasury's Plan
  The Obama administration's plan to wipe toxic assets off bank balance sheets seems to be winning some early support from investors — including some of the big private investors whose support will be critical to its success.

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