Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Plenty of work to do before the legislative session ends
  Lawmakers at the Minnesota Capitol have just three weeks before they are constitutionally required to adjourn the legislative session. Before then, the House is expected to take up its budget bill today, and it could also take up a plan to drastically reduce mercury emissions at the state's largest coal-fired power plants. The Senate is likely to get to the stadium issue on the floor this week. Cathy Wurzer talked with Laura McCallum, Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief.7:20 a.m.
• Constitutional ammendment excludes funding for MPR
  House and Senate negotiators will begin working out their differences this week on a proposed constitutional amendment to protect Minnesota hunting and fishing habitats. The measure would also benefit public broadcasting, parks and the arts. But the definition of public broadcasting, as well as the amount of money, differs sharply between the two versions of the bill. Legislation passed in the DFL Senate would include all noncommercial broadcasters, including Minnesota Public Radio. The Republican House specifically excludes MPR from its bill.7:25 a.m.
• Preparing a "Day without Immigrants"
  The push for a change in immigration law reaches a new level today as Latinos and other minority groups are being asked to stay home from work to demonstrate their economic clout. Organizers call the protest "A day without immigrants."7:50 a.m.
• Twins crushing loss; Vikings draft picks
  The Minnesota Twins return to the Metrodome tonight to play the Seattle Mariners. The Twins were swept over the weekend in Detroit by the Tigers, and yesterday's six-nothing loss was the closest game of the series. The Twins were outscored by Detroit 33 to one over the three games. Meanwhile, the Vikings made some interesting decisions in the NFL draft over the weekend. Their first pick was Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway. Cathy Wurzer talked with Morning Edition sports commenator Steve Rudolph.8:25 a.m.
• The economy marches on
  Cathy Wurzer talked with Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell about the strong economy in the face of negative factors such as rising oil prices.8:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Protesters Call for Intervention in Darfur
  Thousands rallied Sunday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to demand international intervention in the Darfur region of Sudan. The deadly conflict there is fueled by religious friction and has created millions of refugees.
• Chasing a Habitable 'Home of the Future'
  People love to speculate on what the home of the future will look like -- remember the cartoon the Jetsons? But history is littered with the detritus of failed utopian homes. The latest efforts at high tech homes have to balance gadgetry with livability.
• '$64 Tomato': A Quest for the Perfect Garden
  Like many aspiring gardeners, William Alexander wondered what it would be like to be able to wander out into the yard, and pluck a ripe, juicy tomato from the vine anytime he wanted. In a new book, he explores the true costs -- and joys -- of working one's own soil.
• France Presses Ahead with Nuclear Power
  After the oil crisis of the 1970s, France invested heavily in nuclear facilities. Today, France's 58 nuclear plants meet 80 percent of its total electricity needs. Environmentalists cite safety concerns, but France continues to push nuclear power as a way to achieve energy independence.
• Immigrant Boycott Observed in Washington, D.C.
  Some stores and contractors in Washington, D.C., find themselves short-handed as the immigrant-rights boycott takes place. One Whole Foods store reports having 50 people ask in advance for the day off.
• Los Angeles Watches for Immigrant Boycott
  Los Angeles expects protests to take place alongside the immigrant boycott. But the immigrant community is divided on whether the actions will help the pro-immigrant movement.
• Chicago Watches for Immigrant Boycott
  The call for a boycott is being matched in Chicago by plans for a large pro-immigrant rally. Ben Calhoun of Chicago Public Radio reports.
• Study: Diet Supplement Helps People Sleep
  A new study in the journal Sleep provides the strongest evidence yet that the unregulated dietary supplement melatonin helps people get a good night's sleep. Researchers found that it works as well as prescription sleep aids now on the market. Melatonin is available over the counter.
• United States Pushes U.N. for Action Against Iran
  The United Nations says Iran has ignored the Security Council's call to suspend all nuclear fuel enrichment. Instead, the U.N. says Iran has accelerated its program. Bush administration officials say it is now time for the Security Council to act against Iran.
• Negotiations for Darfur Peace Extended in Nigeria
  Sudan's government and rebel groups are extending peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria. Rebels have rejected draft peace agreements concerning Sudan's Darfur region, but agreed to continue negotiating with the government under pressure from the United States.
• A Migrant Worker's Childhood
  Commentator Margarita Hernandez is a Mexican-born poet. She recalls her childhood as a migrant farm worker in California and Oregon.
• America Faces 'A Day Without Immigrants'
  Throughout the country, immigrants are being urged to boycott work, school and shopping Monday. The nationwide effort is called "A Day Without Immigrants." It's intended to draw attention to the importance of immigrants in American life. But not all immigrant groups support the action.
• New York Watches for Immigrant Boycott
  In addition to a boycott, immigrant-rights advocates are planning to join hands at a number of locations in New York. Cindy Rodriguez of member station WNYC reports on the day's events.
• Remembering Reservist Robert Hernandez
  Army reservist Robert Hernandez recently died in Iraq. He was 47. Hernandez was a father and a longtime Washington-area police officer. He loved scary movies and karate.
• Washington Considers Extending Dividend Tax Cuts
  Tax cuts on income from investments are scheduled to expire in 2008. Congress is debating whether to extend them or make them permanent. Advocates of extending them credit the tax cuts for much of the nation's economic growth in recent years.

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