Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• The"working crunched" struggle despite a growing economy
  Many middle class families find themselves squeezed and feeling financially insecure. Minnesota Public Radio set out to profile some working Minnesotans whose financial circumstances are crimping their confidence in the future.6:50 a.m.
• Rybak calls public safety top priority
  Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak ranked public safety as his top priority in his state of the city address. The mayor said more police officers will be on the streets in north Minneapolis and in high density areas like Uptown and downtown by the end of next month.7:20 a.m.
• Lawmakers call for tighter security around St. Peter hospital
  A convicted rapist remains at large after squeezing through a broken window Saturday night.7:25 a.m.
• Farm installs robotic milkers
  Robotic milking machines could help reduce the often crushing workload of operating a dairy farm. At least one Minnesota family is experimenting with the new technology.7:50 a.m.
• Minnesota's High Tech Industry ranked Seventh in the Nation
  Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)released the ninth annual Cyberstates report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, exports, and other key economic factors. Kate Rybenm president of The Minnesota High Tech Association is local chapter of the group. Kate Ruben, President of MHTA, talks about the study and high tech industry in Minnesota.7:55 a.m.
• Timberwolves play their last game of the season
  The Timberwolves play their final game of the regular seaon tonight. They take on the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00pm in the Target Center. The Wolves have long been out of the Western Conference playoff hunt. They're coming off a 103-to-90 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.8:24 a.m.
• Minnesota Women dropping out of the workforce
  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports an increase of 8 thousand jobs in March, bringing Minnesota's unemployment rate down to 4.1 percent. Meanwhile, women in the state have been leaving the workforce. After a 71 percent peak in 2002, Minnesota's employment rates for women have dropped to 69 percent. Executive Director of Jobs Now Coalition, Kris Jacobs, talks about this trend.8:53 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Chess-Boxing Combines Brawn and Brains in One Event
  If you think you are smart and tough, then there is a sport for you: Chess-Boxing. Kyle James reports on this bizarre sport in Germany that combines the thinking man's sport, chess, with the number-one fighting sport, boxing.
• Georgia Hopes for Boost from Caspian Pipeline
  With no energy resources of its own, Georgia hopes a new oil pipeline will transform it from an impoverished former Soviet republic into a vital supplier of energy to the West.
• Cyclists Say USA Coaches Pushed Performance Drugs
  Two former elite cyclists say they were coerced by American coaches into taking performance-enhancing drugs during a five-month period when they were teenagers. Their suit against USA Cycling is headed to trial.
• Golf Fails Executives in Quest to Win at Business
  Commentator Frank Deford looks at the connection between the golf course and the corporate world. He thinks its time for executives to take on sports that are more closely aligned with their corporate missions.
• Woman's Long-Term Memory Astonishes Scientists
  Neurobiologist James McGaugh is one of the world's leading experts on how human memory works. In the current issue of the journal Neurocase, McGaugh reports on a woman with the astonishing ability to clearly remember events that happened to her decades ago.
• Press Secretary McClellan Leaving White House
  White House press secretary Scott McClellan says he is resigning, continuing a shake-up in President Bush's administration. McClellan was named press secretary in June 2003, not long after the United States invaded Iraq.
• The Dilemma of Working and Looking for Another Job
  Stephen Viscusi talks with Renee Montagne about whether you should tell your employer when you are looking for a new job. Viscusi is CEO of The Viscusi Group, a recruiting firm in New York City. He also is the author of On The Job: How to Make it in the Real World of Work.
• Washington State Enjoys Unique Relationship with China
  Washington is the only U.S. state that enjoys a trade surplus with China. Renee Montagne speaks with Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) about the Chinese President's visit.
• FBI Seeks to Edit Journalist Anderson's Documents
  The late investigative reporter Jack Anderson used many government sources to cover stories. His family wants to donate his papers to George Washington University. But the FBI wants to review the archive and remove items it deems confidential. Anderson's family plans to fight the request.
• High Court Reviews Insanity-Defense Case
  The Supreme Court reviews Clark v. Arizona, a new test of the insanity defense. The parents of an Arizona man who killed a police officer want their son declared guilty but insane. The state does not want his mental state considered in court.
• Gates Hosts China's President
  The president of China arrives in the United States and drops in on the richest man in the world, Bill Gates. The Microsoft magnate hosted a reception for Hu Jintao at his mansion in the Seattle area. Hu will move on to meetings with President Bush in Washington, D.C.
• DuPont Under Fire for Teflon Fumes
  Teflon may make a great plate of scrambled eggs, but it also may make for a kitchen full of toxic fumes. That is the issue behind a class action lawsuit against the maker of the non-stick coating, DuPont.
• Limerick Census Pits City Against Rugby Fans
  It will be a nail-biting weekend in Limerick, Ireland. Many residents are leaving town for a big rugby match in Dublin. But the suspense is not about the game. A census is scheduled for the same day as the game, and up to 20,000 absent fans may not get counted. The total town population is just over 50,000. If the count drops below 50,000, Limerick loses its status as a city and the subsidies that come with it. The mayor is begging fans to hurry back.
• Moussaoui Defense Paints Picture of Mental Instability
  Defense lawyers show Zacarias Moussaoui's notebooks as evidence of his insanity. But the prosecution says Moussaoui was lucid enough to make it to the U.S., take flying lessons and lie to the FBI. The testimony came during the sentencing phase of the confessed Sept. 11 conspirator's trial.
• Rumsfeld Meets with Retired Officers
  Retired Maj. Gen. Robert H. Scales Jr. talks to Steve Inskeep about a meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Scales was among about a dozen ex-officers invited to attend a meeting with Rumsfeld at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

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