Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota officials check out new voting machines in South Dakota
  Sioux Falls will test new voting machines in its local election Tuesday, and Minnesota election officials will observe how it all works. Federal law requires these machines be in place this year.6:50 a.m.
• Living on the wrong side of the levee
  A few Fargo residents enjoy living near the Red River enough to stay, despite being on the wrong side of a levee.6:55 a.m.
• House Republicans present property tax rebate
  Just ahead of a due date for property tax payments - and just weeks before the fall election - rebate checks averaging $205 would begin arriving in the mailboxes of homeowners if House Republican lawmakers get their way.7:20 a.m.
• Pastor won't officially sign off on marriages
  The congregation of the Lyndale United Church of Christ in Minneapolis has voted unanimously to ask its pastor to stop signing marriage licenses as an agent of the State of Minnesota until the state recognizes same-sex marriages. The church will continue to perform religious marriage ceremonies for straight and gay couples, but opposite gender couples married at the church will need to go before a justice of the peace in order to have their marriage recognized by the state. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Don Portwood, the church's pastor.7:25 a.m.
• Governor talks bonding, taxes, and stadiums
  The Legislature is busy this session debating a new bonding bill, taxes and fees, as well as possible stadium deals for the Minnesota Gophers, the Twins and the Vikings. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's gave his take on those issues in an interview with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.7:55 a.m.
• Pembina, North Dakota preparing for flooding
  Residents of Pembina, North Dakota are building an earthen dike to help hold back the rising waters of the Red and Pembina rivers. Levee closures have been installed on the Pembina River bridge through town and the bridge also has been sandbagged. The water is expected to crest well above flood stage later this week. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Ken Norby, the Public Works Superintendent for Pembina.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Immigration Marches: What Next?
  Renee Montagne speaks with Senior Correspondent Juan Williams about this week's immigration protests. He offers his analysis of what happens after the marches end, and how immigration will alter midterm congressional elections.
• Gas Prices Climb as Summer Driving Season Nears
  Gasoline prices jumped nearly 10 cents a gallon in the last week, and forecasters say that drivers could see even higher prices as summer approaches. Prices typically rise in anticipation of the summer driving season, but in 2004, it was mid-May before prices topped the $2 mark. This year, $2-a-gallon gas is but a distant reflection in the rearview mirror; it's $3 a gallon we seem to be closing in on.
• Bassist Christian McBride, Plying the Bottom Groove
  Following jazz great Ray Brown and funk's Bootsy Collins, Christian McBride is building on his predecessors' bass work. He McBride finds plenty of room to explore "the groove underneath — the bottom."
• Natural Adhesive Is Stronger than Super Glue
  What can be better or stronger than Super Glue? Scientists say there is a natural adhesive that's much stronger than the hardware glue we are used to.
• Britain Providing Billions for Education in Africa
  Britain has pledged to give developing countries, mostly in Africa, $15 billion for education. Britain hopes other countries will donate an additional $10 billion. The pledge is a result of the G8 summit last year.
• Skilling Takes Stand, Proclaims Innocence at Enron Trial
  Former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling takes the stand at his trial in Houston and testifies that he is innocent of any crime. He faces 28 counts of fraud, conspiracy, insider trading and lying to auditors.
• Remembering the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
  One hundred years ago, a 7.8-magnitude quake and rapidly spreading fires dealt San Francisco a stunning blow. Those events are remembered through grainy photos, local legends and survivors' letters.
• Jury: Vioxx Maker Owes Heart-Attack Victim $9 Million
  A jury recommends a $9 million award in punitive damages to a man who blamed his heart attack on Vioxx. The jury found that the drug manufacturer, Merck, failed to warn about the risks of its arthritis drug and misrepresented the risks to physicians. The jury had already recommended $4.5 million in compensatory damages.
• Lawyers Say DNA Evidence Clears Duke Players
  Defense attorneys in Durham, N.C., say DNA testing proves their clients did not sexually assault a woman hired to perform at a party hosted by members of the Duke lacrosse team. But a prosecutor says the investigation isn't over. Jessica Jones of North Carolina Public Radio reports.
• Opposition Leader Claims Victory in Italian Elections
  Challenger Romano Prodi claims victory in Italy's general election. By a razor-thin margin, his coalition appears to have won a majority in the lower house of parliament. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is disputing the results and demanding a review of the count.
• Cheeta's Star Shines Brightly at 74
  Hollywood has been good to its most famous chimp. Cheeta, who became a star in the Tarzan movies of the 1930s and '40s, has celebrated his 74th birthday at a retirement home in Palm Springs. That makes him the oldest chimp in the world, almost twice the life expectancy of a chimp in the wild. Graying, but still with all his teeth, Cheeta also got his first-ever award: the comedy prize from a Spanish film festival.
• President's Approval Rating Hits New Low
  The latest survey on President Bush's approval ratings is out. The Washington Post-ABC News poll finds only 38 percent of the public approve of the job the President is doing. That's his worst showing since he was elected.
• Broad Group Opposes Wal-Mart Banking Plan
  Wal-Mart wants to open a state-chartered bank. But consumer groups, unions and the banking industry are opposing the retailing giant's plans.
• ABC Making TV Shows Available for Free on Internet
  ABC, with its parent company Disney, announces it will be making some TV shows available for free on the Internet. The catch? You'll have to watch ads that can't be skipped. Renee Montagne talks to New York Times columnist David Pogue.
• Options Limited for Military Attack on Iran
  Despite all the talk of preparations for war on Iran, the military options have limits. Military analysts look at the options for a U.S. attack on Iran.

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