Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• The future of TV is High-Definition
  Tonight, KARE-11 will become the first Twin Cities television station to broadcast its news programs in High Definition. HD-TV has been touted as the biggest leap in television since the move from black-and-white to color. It's designed to create sharper, clearer pictures. Cathy Wurzer talked with Brian Cooley, editor-at-large of CNET dot com, about what HD-TV means for consumers6:25 a.m.
• Pioneer Press sold to MediaNews Group
  McClatchy is selling off 12 Knight Ridder papers, including the four that are part of this deal. While the buyer has emerged, MediaNews Group's plans for the St. Paul Pioneer Press remain a mystery.7:20 a.m.
• House passes new stadium bill for Minnesota Twins
  By a comfortable 76-to-55 margin, the House approved a measure that would allow Hennepin County to impose a sales tax without voter approval.7:25 a.m.
• Jeffers says she's tougher than Pawlenty
  Minneapolis business owner Sue Jeffers announces her candidacy for governor Thursday, taking on Gov. Tim Pawlenty for the Republican endorsement. Jeffers is an outspoken critic of Pawlenty, saying he's not conservative enough.7:50 a.m.
• Guardian Angels meet tonight
  The red-bereted Guardian Angels could be patrolling northeast Minneapolis within a month. Neighborhood leaders will meet with Angel officials at Columbia Grounds coffee shop in northeast Minneapolis to outline a training program for people who want to be Angels. Cathy Wurzer talked with Curtis Sliwa, the president and founder of the Guardian Angels.7:55 a.m.
• Etiquette for arts patrons
  Cathy Wurzer talked with Dominic Papatola, Morning Edition arts commentator. Papatola advised patrons on how navigate uncomfortable situations at the theater or other arts venues.8:25 a.m.
• Hatch criticizes Blue Cross Blue Shield's financial reserves
  Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is releasing a report today criticizing Blue Cross Blue Shield's financial reserves. The report says the Minnesota-based nonprofit health care company continues to raise health care premiums -- even though the insurer has more than one-billion dollars in reserves. Blue Cross disputes the size of the reserves. Cathy Wurzer talked with Attorney General Mike Hatch and Colleen Reitan, Minnesota Blue Cross Blue Shield President.8:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• What's Triggering Your Migraine?
  What do a strong latte, a drop in barometric pressure, and soybeans have in common? Neurologist Dr. David Buchholz believes they're all triggers for migraines. And he doesn't believe heavy-duty pain medications are the answer.
• Houston Drill Tests Agencies' Preparedness
  A mock explosion, fire and oil spill in the Houston Ship Channel -- a lifeline for the nation's busy energy industry -- provided a test this week for federal, state and local agencies and their ability to work together in the event of a terrorist attack.
• Disinfectant Wipes Safe for Computer Keyboards
  Is your computer making you sick? It's not a stretch to realize your keyboard can harbor all sorts of bugs. The good news is that many disinfectant wipes -- even sterile water -- do a safe job of keeping bacteria at bay.
• Fort Stewart Families Cope with Strain of Separation
  The Army is trying to help families reunited after yearlong deployments through programs and workshops for soldiers. But the real work of reconnecting falls to the individual families who want to make their relationships successful.
• Warming Eases Northwest Passage, Author Says
  European explorers spent centuries searching for a passage through the ice at the top of the world. The Northwest Passage, a shortcut to Asia Europe, proved elusive until about 100 years ago. These days, thanks to global warming and a receding ice cover, the voyage is far easier to complete.
• Bill Would Clamp Down on Intelligence Leaks
  House lawmakers have approved a bill authorizing intelligence programs for the coming year. Among its provisions: an amendment that seeks to rein in those who would leak national secrets to reporters.
• Congress Votes Against Internet Neutrality Bill
  Congress defeats legislation that would have required all Internet traffic to be treated equally as it moves across the network. Telephone and cable companies want to start charging higher rates for faster and preferential connections.
• Emergency Bill Funds Mississippi Rail-Line Work
  The Senate votes against trimming a $106.5 billion emergency spending bill. The money will be used to fund operations in Iraq, hurricane relief and add-ons. One of the controversial additions is $700 million for relocation of a rail line along the Mississippi coast.
• Columbia Students Stick Up for Dean Over Fed Post
  The dean of Columbia Business School was not chosen to head the Federal Reserve. So students rewrote a song by the Police, portraying R. Glenn Hubbard as being furious with Ben Bernanke, the guy who got the job.
• Vaccine for Marburg Virus Tests Well in Monkeys
  Researchers say they've successfully treated monkeys who were infected with Marburg virus, a cousin of the Ebola virus. This is the first time a vaccine has been shown to be effective as a treatment for deadly viruses like Marburg.
• Exxon Posts First-Quarter Profit of $8.4 Billion
  Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest oil company, reports that higher oil prices drove its first-quarter profit up 7 percent from the prior year. Net income rose to $8.4 billion, from $7.86 billion in the same period a year ago.
• Report Concludes That FEMA Should Be Replaced
  Leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Commitee are proposing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency be eliminated. After investigating the response to Hurricane Katrina, the committee releases a draft report recommending the creation of a new National Preparedness and Response Authority to replace FEMA.
• European Investigation Reports Undeclared CIA Flights
  According to investigators for the European Parliament, there is evidence that the CIA has conducted more than 1,000 undeclared flights over Europe since 2001. The flights may have been used to transport terrorist suspects to countries where they might have been tortured.
• Do Illegal Immigrants Burden the Justice System?
  The criminal-justice system in the United States is one layer of government that may feel the impact of illegal immigrants.
• North Koreans Promised Refugee Status in United States
  Jay Lefkowitz is the special envoy for human rights in North Korea. He is appearing in front of Congress to discuss the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004. It promises refugee status to North Koreans who make it to the United States. Rob Schmitz of member station KQED reports.

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