Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Number of uninsured kids grows in Minnesota
  The number of Minnesota children without health insurance has grown by at least 8,000 in the past few years.6:50 a.m.
• Senate unexpectedly defeats tax bill
  A Senate Democratic plan to bring some relief to property taxpayers has gone down to defeat -- because not enough Democrats would support it.6:55 a.m.
• Twins stadium supporters take their turn at bat
  A key Legislative committee holds a second hearing Thursday night on a proposal that would build a new downtown Minneapolis ballpark for the Minnesota Twins. Wednesday night, the first hearing was packed, mainly with supporters of the stadium.7:20 a.m.
• Gas prices remain high
  If you've filled up your gas tank lately, you've come away with your wallet feeling a lot lighter. A gallon of gas costs $2.85 in some parts of the metro this morning. Cathy Wurzer talked with Rob Grundwald, associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.7:25 a.m.
• Timberwolves close out miserable season
  The Minnesota Timberwolves play their final game of the season Wednesday night, ending a disappointing season with no playoff appearance. The team may have larger problems. Superstar Kevin Garnett has said he wants to play for a more competitive team. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Britt Robson, who covers the Timberwolves for the CityPages.7:50 a.m.
• International Film Festival opens
  The 2006 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival launches tonight with a gala screening of a new documentary, "Al Franken: God Spoke." It's the first of 135 films being shown at 5 different venues over the next ten days. Cathy Wurzer talked with Euan Kerr, an editor at Minnesota Public Radio.7:55 a.m.
• Mall of America could add high culture
  The Mall of America could double in size, and this time it might add a bit of high culture. Plans submitted last week to the city of Bloomington would expand what's already the nation's largest shopping complex. The proposal has an arts component, including a 6000-seat performing arts center, a dinner theater and a museum. Cathy Wurzer talked with Dominic Papatola, Morning Edition arts commentator.8:25 a.m.
• MediaNews Group offers to buy Pioneer Press
  The St. Paul Pioneer Press may be close to being sold. The Los Angeles Times reports that MediaNews Group has offered to buy the Pioneer Press, plus three Knight Ridder newspapers in California, for as much as one billion dollars. A group of eight Twin Cities investors is also interested in the Pioneer Press. Cathy Wurzer talked with John Wodele, a spokesman for those local investors.8:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Pipeline Faces Delays, Complaints in Turkey
  Turkey hosts the longest stretch of a new transnational pipeline that will carry oil from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean. Construction is nearly a year behind schedule and financial disagreements over the project may cause further delays.
• Alzheimer's Drugs Offer Debatable Promise
  A decade ago, the best that doctors could offer Alzheimer's patients and their families was an early diagnosis. Today, doctors have four medications to offer, but there's no agreement on how helpful those drugs are.
• Early Reenactment Captured Horror of 1906 Quake
  Soon after the San Francisco earthquake and fires of 1906, actors in New York City recorded a dramatic reenactment of the disaster on wax cylinders. This "audio theater," called The Destruction of San Francisco, lasted just two minutes but captured the horrors of the catastrophe.
• John Kamm's Mission: Helping Free China Dissidents
  Chinese President Hu Jintao is in the United States, and one issue he faces here is human rights. Most U.S. companies in China won't touch the issue, but businessman John Kamm made it a second career. Kamm has spent the last 16 years helping to free scores of Chinese political prisoners.
• Hu Wraps Up U.S. Visit at Yale
  Chinese President Hu Jintao will finish his U.S. trip at Yale University in Connecticut. He is likely to encounter demonstrators protesting human-rights violations in China. But the school's ties with China run long and deep.
• Clippers Rise Above History, Make NBA Playoffs
  Among sports fans, there is general agreement about this: The Los Angeles Clippers are the most hapless franchise in major pro sports. The owner of the team has long been accused of being more concerned about turning a profit than winning. But this year, the Clippers are headed to the playoffs.
• Study Looks at Botox for Teens with Excessive Sweating
  Excessive sweating can be more than just an annoyance. For some people it can be debilitating. In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Botox for adults. Now a study is under way to see whether the drug is safe and effective for teens with excessive sweating.
• High Cost of Crude Drives Up Prices at the Pump
  The price of crude oil climbed higher into record territory Wednesday, topping $72 a barrel. The high cost of crude oil, along with seasonal refinery outages, is driving up prices at the gas pump. The price of gasoline has already hit the $3-a-gallon mark in some parts of the United States.
• SEC Prepares to Shine Light on Executive Perks
  The Securities and Exchange Commission is considering a plan that would force companies to be more explicit about how they compensate top executives. The rules, which are expected to take effect this year, would shine a light on many of the hidden perks senior managers receive.
• Sept. 11 Families Make Feelings Felt at Moussaoui Trial
  Family members of Sept. 11 victims take the stand during the sentencing trial of confessed terrorist conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui. Though federal court rules prevent anyone but attorneys from explicitly recommending a sentence, it was clear that some of those who lost loved ones felt strongly about Moussaoui's fate.

Resources

• Marketplace Tech Report®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories