Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New census numbers show Minnesota is getting older
  The latest census estimates show that Minnesota continues to get older. The state's median age has gone up two years since 2000.7:20 a.m.
• Minnesotan breeds Kentucky Derby contender
  The most famous horse race of all, the Kentucky Derby, will be run on Saturday. One of the favorites is a horse named Big Brown, who was bred by Gary Knapp -- a native of Fergus Falls, Minnesota.7:25 a.m.
• When work makes you drive, gas prices hurt more
  A national survey out this week shows the top economic concern for Americans is the price of gasoline. For some, driving is a necessary part of their job and the pressure at the pump is eating into their paycheck.7:50 a.m.
• Why are we losing interest in history?
  This month there will be a series of special events to mark Minnesota's sesquicentennial. But this year's party will pale in comparison to all the hoopla that surrounded the state's centennial celebration in 1958. Why don't we care as much about our history?7:55 a.m.
• The summer festival season is here
  The Festival of Nations opens today at downtown St. Paul's Rivercentre, and with it, the beginning of Minnesota's summer festival season.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• McCain Visits Three Key States in One Day
  While a lot of attention is on the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has been busy campaigning for the November election. On Wednesday, he visited three battleground states in a single day, focusing on spreading his economic message to the blue-collar voter.
• Georgia Wetlands Offer Cure for Drought
  The drought that has dogged the southeastern U.S. hasn't hurt one county in Georgia. Clayton County's reservoirs are full, thanks to a unique water treatment system. "It's raining everyday in Clayton County," the water authority's general manager says.
• Fed Waits to See Results of Rate Cuts, Tax Rebates
  Is the Federal Reserve finished with its rate-cutting campaign, or is the economy in such bad shape that it will need more help in the future? The consensus is that the Fed is signaling a pause. It wants to see how the economy responds to seven interest rate cuts — and a hundred billion dollars worth of rebate checks.
• Italy's IRS Posts Citizens' Income Online
  Italy's IRS created a grand snooping opportunity Wednesday when it posted on its Web site the taxable income of just about every Italian citizen — for a few hours. There was a huge outcry, and the tax collector had to take the information down.
• Superdelegate Swings Vote from Clinton to Obama
  Superdelegate Joe Andrew says he is switching allegiance to Sen. Barack Obama. The Indiana native, who was Democratic National Committee chairman under President Bill Clinton, annouced his endorsement for Sen. Hillary Clinton the day she announced her candidacy.
• Ind. Voters Say Obama's Ex-Pastor Hurts Campaign
  Days before their primary, Indiana voters are talking about Barack Obama's former pastor's return to the media spotlight this week. Obama has criticized the Rev. Jeremiah Wright for controversial remarks that have come at an awkward time for the Democratic candidate.
• LAPD Officer: May Day Mistakes Won't Be Repeated
  Last year's big immigration rally in Los Angeles turned into chaos when police in riot gear clashed with demonstrators and news media. That led to big changes in police communication and media relations — changes that will be put to the test Thursday at a May Day rally in Los Angeles.
• Clinton Keeps Cool on Fox's 'O'Reilly Factor'
  Hillary Clinton and Bill O'Reilly hashed it out on The O'Reilly Factor Wednesday night. The conservative news host quizzed the Democratic presidential candidate about her plans for health care and taxes.
• Poll: Fewer U.S. Immigrants Sending Money Home
  A survey by the Inter-American Development Bank shows the percentage of Hispanic immigrants sending money to their home countries in Latin America is down dramatically in just two years. The report cites the U.S. economic slowdown and a tougher line on illegal immigrants.
• Birmingham Mayor Faces Charges over Bond Deals
  The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil complaint against Larry Langford, the mayor of Birmingham, Ala. Langford is accused of accepting $156,000 to steer millions of dollars of county bond business to two friends.
• Bush Backs Legislation to Safeguard Student Loans
  President Bush says he will sign legislation that the Senate passed Wednesday to ensure that students can borrow money for college.
• U.S. Taps Countries of Foreign Fighters for Help
  A State Department report on global terrorism says Iraq suffered the largest number of terrorist attacks in 2007. Ambassador Dell Dailey says the U.S. visited the home countries of foreign fighters in Iraq to get help in curbing the suicide attacks — stressing that the fighters will pose a danger if they return home.
• Security Progress in Baghdad Draws Entrepreneurs
  A small but growing number of what might be called adventure capitalists are going to Baghdad. The American entrepreneurs are defying ongoing insurgent attacks, the country's dysfunctional government ministries and the skeptics.
• Small Towns in N.J. Told to Merge or Face Cuts
  Faced with chronic budget woes, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is taking aim at what some call "multiple municipal madness" — the large number of individual towns and school districts in the state. He's threatening to cut off funds to some towns if they don't merge with their neighbors to save money.
• Costs of Zimbabwe's Election Standoff Mount
  Host Steve Inskeep speaks with Dumisani Muleya, a news editor at Zimbabwe's Independent newspaper, about the impact of the unresolved presidential election on the economy, and some of the intimidation tactics being used against opposition supporters.

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