Minnesota Public Radio Stories

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  7:20 a.m.
• Sokol keeps Czech-Slovak heritage alive
  Many services for immigrants to Minnesota are aimed at helping new arrivals from Southeast Asia, Africa or Latin America. But in some neighborhoods, institutions that served immigrants of a previous century carry on, as well.7:25 a.m.
• Washington County becomes fifth and final to raise sales tax
  After a long meeting, Washington County commissioners voted Tuesday night to raise the sales tax to pay for transit.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• China's Income Gap: The Brother Who Fell Behind
  The three Gong brothers grew up during the era of the "iron rice bowl," when the government provided everything: housing, health care and education. Two of the brothers adapted to China's new economy. But the third one didn't make it.
• Failing a Robbery Attempt, Customer Buys a Taco
  You could think of this as an endorsement of Taco John's restaurant in Kalispell, Mont. Police contend that Shane Roe walked in demanding money and free food. He was holding a weapon. It was only an air gun, but it was made to look like a powerful Glock. Still, a Taco John's employee refused him. So Roe apparently modified his plans. According to police, he orderd a taco — and paid for it.
• Mathematicians Explain Tape's Tendency to Tear
  If you've ever peeled a strip of tape off a roll with your fingers, you know that it doesn't usually come off the way you really want it to. A strip may start out nice and even, but eventually it narrows into a useless triangular strip. This phenomenon may seem trivial, but not to some curious mathematicians.
• Workers, Employers Adjust to Phased Retirement
  Economic worries and the rising cost of health care have many baby boomers concerned that they'll outlive their retirement savings. Some are opting to phase slowly out of the workforce instead of leaving permanently. Phased retirement poses challenges for workers and companies, but it could be crucial to retaining a talented workforce.
• Wall Street Rallies on European Banks' Big Losses
  A buying spree on Wall Street has come after very bad news from European banks: Two of the biggest announced multibillion-dollar losses from their mortgage investments Tuesday. The logic on Wall Street: There has been so much bad news from financial institutions that maybe the worst is over, so now is the time to buy.
• Mont. Removes Games from Workers' Computers
  In Helena, Mont., workers at the city's Child Support Enforcement Division complained when their new computers didn't have popular games — like Solitaire and Minesweeper — on them. So a director decided to remove the games from all 3,000 computers at the state's Human Services Department.
• Tibetans in India Urge Strong Tactics Against China
  Recent events in Tibet are being followed closely in India, which is thought to be home to at least 100,000 Tibetans — including the Dalai Lama. Now some of the Tibetan exile community are taking a harder line in pursuing their cause.
• Automakers Report Double-Digit Drops in Sales
  Sales at Chrysler and General Motors were down 19 percent compared with last March, and even Toyota and Honda — which had been doing pretty well — say their sales were down for the month. As with a lot of things these days, the problems can be traced back to the housing industry and the tightening credit market.
• Retracing John McCain's Bipartisan Roots
  John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, continues his biographical tour Wednesday with a visit to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. As a youngster, he says, he had "a little bit of a chip" on his shoulder. But as a lawmaker, he has shown an ability to work with colleagues from across the political spectrum.
• Zimbabwe Awaits Election Results; Runoff Predicted
  Zimbabwe's state newspaper predicts that there will be a runoff in last weekend's presidential vote. It could be the first time in 28 years that the country's autocratic leader has failed to win re-election. The Election Commission has yet to announce the outcome of the presidential vote.
• Tibetans Outside Region's Borders Recount Unrest
  Much of the past month's protest over Tibet has taken place outside of Tibet. Roughly half of ethnic Tibetans live outside the legal boundaries of the region that carries their name. And those Tibetans have added to the complexity of the protests against China's government.
• Bush Calls for NATO Expansion at His Last Summit
  As NATO opens its summit Wednesday in Romania, President Bush asked members to step up their efforts in Afghanistan and help do more in Iraq. He also renewed calls to allow Ukraine and Georgia to start the admission process — over Russia's objections. It's the outgoing president's last NATO summit.
• Rep. Frank Proposes Help for Mortgage Holders
  Congress is giving its full attention to dealing with the economic effects of rising foreclosures across the country. But how to address the problem and who should pay for it are still up for debate. Democratic U.S. Rep. Barney Frank has drafted legislation to help homeowners with subprime mortgages.
• Clinton Challenges Obama to Bowling Throwdown
  Looking somber, Sen. Hillary Clinton walked into a Philadelphia news conference Tuesday. It isn't clear when it became evident that it was an April Fools joke. But instead of withdrawing from the campaign, Clinton challenged Barack Obama to a bowling contest.
• Backroom Primary: Undecided Superdelegate Farr
  More than 300 superdelegates across the country have yet to commit to either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. California has the most superdelegates, and nearly two dozen of them are uncommitted — about twice as many as any other state. One of them is Rep. Sam Farr.

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