Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Renters put out by foreclosures
  As the number of Minnesota home foreclosures continues to rise, the problem is getting more attention from lawmakers, lenders and the media. But one group has gotten little notice, namely renters.6:24 a.m.
• May a month with many wildfires in Minnesota
  Historical records show that May is a month when many wildfires occur in Minnesota. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley about that, and about a weather phenomenon called a gravity wave.6:54 a.m.
• MPR Poll: High approval marks for Pawlenty, but most wish he'd raise taxes on the rich
  The survey shows that 72 percent of likely voters support increasing income taxes on wealthier Minnesotans to lower property taxes. Sixty-nine percent of those polled support an income tax increase to pay for education.7:20 a.m.
• Dry weather fueling Ham Lake fire
  Warm and dry weather is helping the Ham Lake fire along the Gunflint Trail to grow. It has burned 47 square miles, and officials have expanded the evacuation area. Firefighters are hoping for better weather. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with reporter Tim Post, who's in Grand Marais.7:24 a.m.
• Minneapolis residents seek answers about lakes contamination
  About 50 Minneapolis residents resisted the lure of a beautiful spring evening and instead spent several hours inside a church overlooking Lake Calhoun Thursday night. They were there to learn more about a perfluoronated chemical that has contaminated fish in Calhoun and other nearby lakes.7:50 a.m.
• Minnesota's Tibetan monks chant for their homeland
  Minnesota has a strong choral tradition, but starting this weekend, it will get a taste of a very different type of chorus. The Dalai Lama's tantric choir will visit from the Gyuto monastery in Dharmasala, India for a series of concerts. There's a reason they're coming here. Five of the choir members live in Minneapolis.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Beautiful Lilacs Tell a Tale About Climate
  The fragrance of a lilac is so powerfully stirring that, within a century of their introduction in the United States, the blooms were synonymous with "home." But these nonnative shrubs have a great deal to say about how our climate is changing.
• Sisters Marked Each Day with Dad Away at War
  Sisters Ellen Hess and Eileen Tarr recount what it was like at home while their father was fighting in the Vietnam War. The family marked their father's one-year deployment with a string of 365 paper clips. Each day, their mother removed a paper clip as a visible reminder that their father would one day come home.
• House Approves Two-Part Spending Bill for War
  The House approves an installment plan for war funding, making future payments contingent on Iraq's ability to show progress against sectarian violence. President Bush says he will veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
• Gonzales Gets Gentler Reception in House Visit
  As Attorney General Alberto Gonzales gives a House panel his side of U.S. attorney firings, his answers stay the same. But questions from the House are not as harsh as those he faced at the Senate.
• Mother's Day Turns 100
  The 100th anniversary of Mother's Day will be observed Sunday with a $16 billion commercial blitz of cards, flowers and restaurant meals. It originated as a simple tribute to mothers marked by the wearing of a single white carnation.
• NATO Commander Weighs Efforts in Afghanistan
  U.S. Army Gen. Dan McNeill, the NATO commander in Afghanistan, addresses a dilemma: How to attack insurgents without alienating the Afghan people.
• Catalina Island Fire Forces Evacuations
  Hot, dry weather fuels a wildfire on Catalina Island, a resort off the Southern California coast. Several homes burned Thursday night and many people are fleeing the popular getaway spot.
• Mexico Hosts Conference on Immigration Issues
  Hundreds of elected officials, researchers and activists from around the world are meeting in Mexico for workshops and discussions on issues involving migration and immigration.
• Marine General Testifies at Haditha Hearing
  A two-star Marine general testifies that he didn't know questions were being raised about the deaths of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha until months after the killings took place.
• Italy Debates Church v. State, Family Values
  Catholics will hold a rally Saturday in support of "family values" in Rome. But a competing demonstration will target what critics see as the church's interference in Italian politics.
• Pope Makes Appeal to Brazil's Youth
  Pope Benedict XVI addresses a screaming crowd of tens of thousands of young people at a soccer stadium in Sao Paolo, urging them to be builders of a new society inspired by universal moral values. The pontiff is in the middle of a five-day visit to Brazil.
• Senate Panel Focuses on 'Homegrown' Terrorism
  Officials from the FBI and a number of other government agencies discuss the fight against "homegrown" terrorism in an appearance before the Senate's Homeland Security Committee.
• FDA Told Anemia Drugs Pose Safety Risk
  A panel of outside experts tells the Food and Drug Administration that three drugs used to treat anemia in patients with kidney failure, HIV or cancer pose health risks. The experts recommend stronger warning labels.
• L.A. Gang Hangout Gives Way to Housing Project
  Los Angeles city officials demolish a former "Crips" gang hangout known as 6900 Death Lane. The property will become affordable housing.
• Pasadena Paper May Outsource 'Local' Coverage
  A Web site in Pasadena, Calif., takes outsourcing to a new level. It advertised for a journalist to report on Pasadena's city government and politics, but will base the "local" reporter in India. The publisher says it makes sense, since City Council meetings are available on the Web. The India-based correspondent will be able to e-mail anybody he wants for an interview.

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