Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Fire danger rising in Minnesota
  It was an historic month of March for Minnesota weather. Most of the state had no measurable snow - for the entire month. The warm dry weather does have a downside. The DNR says fire risk is "very high" in central and southern Minnesota.7:20 a.m.
• Dry, warm March has farmers out in their fields early
  Despite a wet fall, and then heavy snow, a dry, warm March got farmers going much earlier than anyone could have hoped for. For some, the early field work includes a rare spring harvest.7:25 a.m.
• Census forms due today; Minn. among leading states
  As of Wednesday, 56 percent of the households in Minnesota had returned the forms. That's higher than the current national participation rate of 52 percent, but not as high as officials are expecting it to be.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• New England Struggles After Record Flooding
  Parts of New England are still underwater after heavy rains. March was one for the record books in much of the region. In Rhode Island, homes and businesses are flooded and portions of Interstate 95 are shut down because of high water.
• NUMMI Plant Closure Ends Toyota-GM Venture
  New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. was a unique partnership that ended when GM pulled out last year and Toyota decided to shut the plant down. Toyota officials say the plant simply wasn't economically viable, but many workers suspect that it may have had something to do with their union.
• Tina Brown's Must-Reads About ... This Working Life
  Daily Beast Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown shares with Renee Montagne the best things she's been reading lately: on the growing pains of ambitious companies, working in your PJs and how losing your job can mean finding your life.
• Songbird DNA May Offer Clues To Human Speech
  The zebra finch is a songbird known for its elaborate serenades. Now scientists have decoded its genome and hope that the research will give them insight into the origins of speech-related disorders caused by autism, stroke and Parkinson's disease.
• RNC Raises A Lot Of Cash And Criticisms
  The Republican National Committee has been raising record amounts of money, but it also is spending record amounts. One item in particular is causing problems: A bar tab from a topless nightclub in West Hollywood, Calif. Besides that, there have been criticisms against chairman Michael Steele, who has had his own issues with expenses.
• Letter From India: Railway Exams Not A Free Ride
  India has an exam for virtually every government job — no matter how small. The Railway Exams, given to aspiring guards, ticket collectors and drivers, ask a surprising variety of questions — difficult questions. Competition for jobs on the railway is extreme — by one account there are 20,000 applicants for one ticket collector job.
• Tough Fuel Efficiency Standards To Be Set
  President Obama announces new rules Thursday that will force the auto industry to make cars and trucks with better gas mileage. The new rules should bring more than a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency over the next six years. It will be the most significant increase in efficiency standards since the '70s.
• Looking Online For Signs Of Job Growth
  Two online job sites report a recent surge in postings by U.S. employers — a sure sign that some hiring is on the horizon. It also boosts hopes ahead of Friday's Labor Department report on employment, which is expected to show the first major gains in job creation since the start of the recession.
• American Airlines, JetBlue Form Partnership
  American Airlines and JetBlue Airways are making changes to their service to New York and Washington, D.C. The airlines are swapping landing slots and starting a marketing alliance that seeks to share passengers on domestic and international flights.
• Air France: Large Fliers Can Get Second Seat For Free
  Air France says most of its larger passengers will be able to book an extra seat for no extra charge. Like many airlines, Air France has insisted that people unable to fit into one of its standard economy seats pay for a second seat. But starting Thursday, the airline says those passengers will normally have the extra costs refunded, unless the aircraft is full.

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