Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• High prices lure farmers from conservation program
  Minnesota could soon lose up to 25 percent of the land currently set aside in programs to protect water and wildlife.7:20 a.m.
• Pawlenty to name new Transportation Commissioner
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to announce his pick for Transportation Commissioner at a news conference this morning. Bob McFarlin has been the acting commissioner since the Minnesota Senate removed Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau from the spot in February. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck discusses this and other news from the Minnesota State Capitol.7:25 a.m.
• Arts economy snapshot
  Regional arts groups haven't yet felt the effects of an ailing economy, but they're concerned about the future.7:50 a.m.
• Markets with Chris Farrell
  Bank of America says its latest quarterly profit was down 77% from a year earlier. Minnesota Public Radio chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell discusses that and other economic news.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Lucy's Laugh Enlivens the Solar System
  We make a lot of noise here on Earth with our TV and radio broadcasts, and some of that sound escapes into space. But how far will our signals travel? Can Lucille Ball's laugh be heard across the universe?
• Teenager Takes His Grandma to Her First Prom
  At some point while telling stories of the past, Angeline Price revealed the fact that she missed the high school prom more than 60 years ago. She couldn't afford to go. Over the weekend, she made the dance in Clarksville, Tenn. Her grandson Cody McGraw asked her to be his date.
• Hello Kitty Gets a New Look in Japanese 'Vogue'
  The French fashion house of Dior presents a "New Look" this spring: A wide-eyed model with tiny legs and whiskers. When Hello Kitty makes her debut in the May issue of Japanese Vogue, she'll be modeling Galliano's fall look in Paris.
• Shiite Cleric Threatens War with Iraqi, U.S. Forces
  In Iraq, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has threatened an "all out war" against U.S. and Iraqi forces as tensions between Sadr and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki increase. Iraqi citizens and U.S. combat forces in East Baghdad are preparing for another possible uprising from Sadr's Shiite militia.
• UK Surveillance Laws Raise Privacy Concerns
  Local councils in Britain are using covert surveillance legislation designed to combat terrorism to investigate such petty offenses as under-age smoking and breaches of zoning regulations.
• Gasoline, Oil Prices Peak Around the Nation
  The Energy Department releases its latest survey of gasoline prices Monday afternoon. The costs of gasoline and crude oil have set records in the past few weeks. Even if oil prices decline, drivers may not see an immediate savings.
• Leaders of Canada, Mexico Meet with U.S. President
  President Bush meets Monday with Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and they're likely to discuss free trade. President Bush says he wants the partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement to talk about expanding trade in the rest of the hemisphere.
• Homeowners Host Essay Contest to Sell House
  Todd and Tiffany Lovell are trying to unload their three-bedroom home near Los Alamos, N.M., in a depressed market. They're trying a gimmick made popular during the housing boom. They want potential buyers to submit essays about why they should win the house — along with a $100 entry fee.
• Catholic Voters Key Players in Pa. Primary
  Catholic voters may hold the key to Pennsylvania's presidential primary, and the two Democratic rivals are campaigning hard for their support. NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts talks about the "Catholic vote" and how well Hillary Clinton has to do against Barack Obama if she wants to stay in the race.
• Pope Greets Satellite Radio's 'Catholic Channel'
  Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States has ended. Over the weekend, the pope made a radio address on the Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.
• Pope Tweaks His Image on Six-Day Trip to U.S.
  Pope Benedict XVI ended his six-day trip to the United States with a Mass in New York. When the pope arrived last week, most American Catholics knew little about him. But the 81-year-old pontiff seems to have changed his image and America's vision of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Zimbabwe's Election Standoff Extends to 4th Week
  There are still no results from the presidential vote in Zimbabwe as a contested re-tally of the vote drags into a fourth week. Local and international demand has escalated for the results of the vote to be made public.
• Colombia Reflects Rising Threat of Nuclear Terrorism
  The danger of terrorist or insurgent groups acquiring nuclear materials on the black market could be a looming threat. FARC rebels in Colombia reportedly tried to acquire enriched uranium. They may have been more interested in trading it to a terrorist group than in developing it for their own purposes.
• Blacks in Philadelphia Split over Democratic Race
  In Philadelphia, prominent African-Americans are split over the two Democratic presidential candidates. The division reflects both the differences between the two contenders for the nomination and the changing priorities within the city's black power structure.
• Clinton Courts Women, Working-Class Voters in Pa.
  In preparation for Tuesday's primary, Hillary Clinton has been aggressively campaigning in Pennsylvania. She has worked to shore up support with women and working-class voters.

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