Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Meth affects the workplace in Minnesota
  Methamphetamine is starting to take its toll on Minnesota businesses. The highly addictive drug can cause low-productivity, absenteeism and even white collar theft. While the state government and public health officials have cued into the problem, some experts say businesses also need to be paying attention. Cathy Wurzer talked with Nicole Garrison Sprenger, one of the reporters who covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal.6:25 a.m.
• Report: MediaNews bids on Pioneer Press, three other McClatchy newspapers
  MediaNews Group Inc. has offered to buy the St. Paul Pioneer Press and three Knight Ridder Inc. newspapers in California for as much as $1 billion, according to a published report Thursday.6:40 a.m.
• Minnesota weather
  Cathy Wurzer talked with Mark Seely about weather in Minnesota.6:55 a.m.
• Twins stadium proposal passes key test
  The Minnesota House Taxes Committee is expected to take final action Friday on a proposal that would fund a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins in downtown Minneapolis.7:20 a.m.
• Old debate resumes: Should seat belt use be a choice?
  Minnesota drivers could be pulled over for not wearing seat belts, under a bill that passed the Minnesota Senate on Thursday.7:25 a.m.
• Belfast Cowboys
  If it wasn't for the rock supergroup U2, singer songwriter Van Morrison would probably be Ireland's number one musical export. Morrison performs at the Target Center tomorrow night. If you can't make the show you can get a dose of "Van" another way. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has this profile of a Minneapolis cover band devoted almost exclusively to Morrison's music.7:50 a.m.
• Guardian Angels return to Minnesota
  Guardian Angels will patrol Minneapolis streets this weekend. Curtis Sliwa, founder and leader of the Guardian Angels, is in Minneapolis for a meeting wtih Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan about possibly establishing a longer-term presence in the city. Cathy Wurzer talked to Chief Dolan about the Angels on the streets.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Consensus on Health Care System Fixes Remains Elusive
  Congress orders a taskforce to re-launch the national health care debate. The effort is intended to go around the usual special interests, directly to the American public. While attendees across the country agree that the system is in trouble, consensus on how to fix it remains elusive.
• Mark Warner: World Help Needed to Stabilize Iraq
  Mark Warner isn't saying whether he'll jump into the Democratic race for president in 2008, as many expect him to, but the former Virginia governor has some advice about the war in Iraq for the next commander-in-chief.
• 'Timeless' Takes Hip-Hop Star to Brazil
  Brazilian Bossa Nova legend Sergio Mendes teams up with Black Eyed Peas front man Will.i.am to make hip-hop with a Brazilian flavor. Renee Montagne interviews Mendes and Will.i.am about the album Timeless.
• Paper on Israel Lobby Sparks Heated Debate
  When two prominent American professors published their research on the U.S. relationship with Israel, their conclusions set off a firestorm of debate.
• Democrats Struggle to Focus on 2006 Elections
  As Democrats hold a spring meeting in New Orleans, the focus is meant to be on the 2006 mid-term elections. But many delegates want to talk about the 2008 presidential campaign. Representatives of several states are vying to hold presidential nominating primaries earlier in the 2008 election cycle.
• 'American Dreamz' is Amusing, Not Bitter, Satire
  Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition film critic Kenneth Turan reviews American Dreamz, directed by Paul Weitz. It stars Hugh Grant as a Simon Cowell-like host of an American Idol knockoff. It's is satire that takes on pop culture and politics.
• Researchers Tie Gene Clusters to Chronic Fatigue
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Researchers have identified clusters of genes that appear to be linked to the tiredness and lack of energy associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The findings, announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, could lead to a better understanding of the condition.
• California Plans on Cutting Soot Emissions from Ports
  The California Air Resources Board announces its plan to reduce air pollution at the state's ports. Nationwide, ports account for a large and growing proportion of a dangerous kind of air pollution: soot from diesel engines. California is leading the way in trying to reduce the problem.
• Nepal's King Says Power to Return to People
  Nepal's king vows to return political power to the people of this Himalayan kingdom, 14 months after he seized control. The king responded to massive pro-democracy protests with a nationwide address in which he said executive power "shall be returned to the people from this day forward."
• Ceremony Trumps Substance at Meeting of Presidents
  China's President Hu Jintao visits with President Bush. The two presidents discussed a wide range of issues, but made no major announcements. Hu wraps up his trip to the U.S. with a visit to Yale University in Connecticut.
• Protests Against Nepalese King Fill Streets
  Nepal's King Gyanendra places a dayside curfew on the capital in an attempt to thwart protestors. Still, tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters were back on the streets just outside of Katmandu. The king is expected to address the nation Friday night.
• Bumpy Political Terrain Lies Ahead for New Italian PM
  Italy's new Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, won by a narrow margin in recent elections. Difficult days lie ahead for Prodi as he attempts to rule in the wake of outgoing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and revive Italy's sagging economy.
• Hope Turns to Despair for Palestinian Family in Gaza
  The Hasoona family returned to Gaza from Libya in the mid-1990s with hope for their eight children. But today, the family is jobless and dependent on U.N. handouts. Israeli artillery fire that shakes their tiny cinderblock house daily has only added to their woes.
• Foreclosures a Sign of Bursting Denver Housing Bubble?
  Commentator Lou Barnes takes a second look at Colorado's housing market. Last year, Barnes stated that any talk of a housing bubble was just that, talk. Rene Montagne reports that new numbers show foreclosures are much higher in the Denver area than the national average.
• Working Through the Concept of Micro-Finance
  This week, a group of bankers and MBA students assemble to talk about micro-financing. The group tries to imagine what life would be like without insurance, credit cards and bank accounts, a common situation in developing countries. Rachael Myrow of member station KPCC reports.

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