Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesotans worry Rev. Wright controversy overblown
  Many in St. Paul's African American religious community think the media firestorm has blown the controversy over Rev. Wright's comments and his connection to Barack Obama out of proportion. They are hoping the scandal will not hurt Obama's chances at the polls.6:50 a.m.
• Sex ed curricula all over the map in Minnesota
  About five out of six schools offer sex education in Minnesota.7:20 a.m.
• Budget negotiations continue at the State Capitol
  Gov. Pawlenty and legislative leaders met behind closed doors for several hours on both Saturday and Sunday, but reached no agreement on how to solve the state's $935 million projected budget deficit. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has been following the developments.7:25 a.m.
• A postmortem on a vacant home
  Vincent Peterson knew the house he purchased in St. Paul's Dayton's Bluff neighborhood was a fixer-upper. He says what he didn't know was that he wouldn't be allowed to live in it.7:50 a.m.
• High prices for scrap steel cleaning the landscape
  High prices for scrap steel have helped push a widespread cleanup of the Minnesota landscape this spring.7:55 a.m.
• Minn. working to prevent a measles outbreak
  There are a number of states dealing with their worst outbreaks of measles in years, and one of those states is nearby Wisconsin. Minnesota health department epidemiologist Kris Ehresmann said so far, Minnesota hasn't had any measles cases this year.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Taco Truck Battle Heats Up in Los Angeles
  The trucks have long been a favorite spot for cheap Mexican food in Los Angeles. But a new law goes into effect next week in Los Angeles County that truck owners say could drive them out of business.
• NBA's Conference Semi-Finals Set
  The first round of the NBA playoffs has ended. The Boston Celtics will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semi-final. In Game One of the Western Conference semi-final Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 109-98.
• What's Next for Yahoo with Microsoft Deal Off?
  Yahoo shareholders — and shareholding employees — would have made a pretty penny if Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang had accepted Microsoft's $47 billion offer, but he didn't. Now Yang has to prove to shareholders that he can boost Yahoo's profits. Microsoft is expected to try to find other ways to boost its Internet business.
• Germans Develop Mobile Smell-O-Phone
  German researchers have patented a chip for sending smells through mobile phones. The chip has been in the works for eight years, and may not be on the market for another two. If it does come out, a spokesperson for a German technology company says people will be able to send the scent of the ocean breeze while on vacation.
• Retirement Plans Shrink as Economy Falters
  Older baby boomers are approaching retirement age, but many aren't calling it quits. For some, it's a matter of choice. But for others, the faltering U.S. economy has pinched their sources for retirement income.
• Faith Grows with Greensburg's Tornado Recovery
  One year ago Monday, residents of Greensburg, Kan., awoke to a tornado ripping through their small town. The storm destroyed homes and possessions, and leveled all of the town's churches. After a year of rebuilding, many Greensburg residents have found renewed faith in their town and in themselves.
• U.S. Businesses Cash In on Cinco de Mayo
  Cinco de Mayo has become big business in the U.S. as restaurants, bars and party planners turn the red, white and green-themed holiday into a lot of green for themselves.
• 'Cloud Computing' Puts Computer Resources on Tap
  A new technology aims to make computer power, like electricity, a pay-as-you-go enterprise, potentially bringing supercomputing to the masses. Craig Balding, an information technology security expert for a Fortune 500 company, talks about what is known as "cloud computing."
• Bolivia's Richest Province Votes for More Autonomy
  Residents of the largest state in Bolivia voted Sunday on a measure seeking greater political and economic autonomy from the central government. President Evo Morales said the vote in Santa Cruz, where there was scattered violence during the balloting, was illegitimate.
• Russia Begins Slow Transfer from Putin to Medvedev
  As Russia prepares for a transition of power to a new president, many Americans dismiss Dmitry Medvedev as simply a front-man for Vladimir Putin. But Medvedev, a former oil chief, will likely use Russia's leverage in the energy sector to forge closer ties to China and Europe.
• Analysis: Democrats Attack; McCain Kicks Back
  Sen. Hillary Clinton was the sole guest on ABC's This Week, and Sen. Barack Obama was the only guest on NBC's Meet the Press. In contrast, Sen. John McCain spent Sunday at the ballpark, watching his Arizona Diamondbacks get beat by the New York Mets.
• Last Day of Campaigning for Ind., N.C. Primaries
  Tuesday is the next test for the Democratic presidential candidates, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. NPR's Don Gonyea reports on the final days of campaigning before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries.
• Iraq Investigates Weapons Allegations Against Iran
  The Iraqi government is creating a special committee to look into allegations that Iran is funneling arms to Shiite militia groups in Iraq. U.S. military officials say there is evidence of Iranian-supplied munitions, but it's uncertain whether there is complicity by the Iranian government.
• What Will Come of Talks Between China, Tibetans?
  Representatives of the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama met Monday in South China for a second day of talks to try to resolve their differences. Foreign governments have been pressuring Beijing to open a dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader after weeks of riots.
• Supplies Dwindle After Deadly Cyclone Hits Myanmar
  Residents of Myanmar's largest city are lining up to buy the last of the city's safe water. Instead of electricity, they're using candles — which have doubled in price. Those are some of the conditions facing survivors of a tropical cyclone. Official broadcasts say the storm killed almost 4,000 people. Thousands more are missing.

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