Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• U.S. Surgeon General calls on graduates to become "health ambassadors"
  U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona told graduates of the U of M School of Public Health, disease prevention is the best weapon against a growing health burden.6:50 a.m.
• Rule change could mean lower taxes for Minnesota power companies
  The energy industry pays a lot in property taxes, so residents of power plant towns generally owe less at tax time. But now the state Revenue Department is considering a rule change that could lower the taxes energy companies pay.6:55 a.m.
• Minnesota Guard commander: Bush border plan is 'doable'
  President Bush has proposed sending 6,000 National Guard troops to patrol the U.S.-Mexican border for illegal immigrants. Some are concerned the Guard is becoming over-extended, since many units are also serving in Iraq. The head of Minnesota's National Guard, Gen. Larry Shellito, says Bush's plan is "doable." He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.7:20 a.m.
• Legislature votes to limit government seizure of property
  A bill on its way to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's desk would restrict the ability of local governments to seize private property.7:25 a.m.
• St. Paul eyes Hockey Hall of Fame
  The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame may have a future in St. Paul. The doors to the museum closed in Eveleth, Minnesota last week after 30 years in its Iron Range location. The museum has struggled financially since opening in 1972. Now, St. Paul officials are hoping to make the capitol city the new home for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Cathy Wurzer talked with Dan Bostrom, a St. Paul City Council member who would like to see the museum relocate in his city.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Iraq Business Environment Difficult to Navigate
  Doing business in Iraq under current conditions is no easy task. One of Iraq's most prominent businessmen describes some of the obstacles he encounters daily as he attempts to import a generator from Jordan.
• Former Senator Backs Hayden to Head CIA
  Former Democratic Sen. Bob Graham of Florida -- who once headed the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence -- says his former colleagues should approve the president's nomination of Gen. Michael Hayden to head the CIA. The committee is expected to take up the Hayden nomination later this week. This is the first of two opposing commentaries on the Hayden nomination.
• Indonesia Pornography Bill Targets Public Life
  Indonesia's controversial new anti-pornography bill is drawing some criticism in the moderate Muslim nation. In its current form, the bill cracks down on adult books and films. But it also targets many forms of social behavior, such as kissing in public and how women dress.
• Boeing Moves Forward After Government Fine
  Boeing is paying a $615 million fine for defense contract wrongdoings. At the same time, the company continues to pursue new deals for defense contracts. One watchdog group says the agreement points to anti-trust problems in the defense industry.
• Hyundai Chairman Indicted in South Korea Scandal
  South Korea indicts the chairman of one of its biggest companies, Hyundai Motor group. He is charged with setting up a $100 million fund to bribe politicians. The scandal has already claimed one life, a government official who committed suicide. It also threatens a pillar of the Korean economy.
• Prosecution Lambastes Enron Defendants in Closing Arguments
  Lawyers for former Enron executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling make their closing arguments today. Yesterday, it was the prosecution's turn to sum up their case. The prosecution did not hesitate to reiterate their view of the former Enron managers as criminals attempting to escape responsibility for their actions.
• California Hospitals Struggle with Earthquake Mandate
  California hospitals are mandated to be safe in the event of a major earthquake. The institutions most vulnerable to quake damage are the state's small, rural hospitals. But many say the cost of seismic retrofitting is too expensive. Cy Musiker of member station KQED reports.
• Canadian Dreams of Ethanol Distilled from Grass
  It's been a dream for many years: Distill clean-burning ethanol from grass, the cheapest vegetation. It's not just a dream anymore. An entrepreneur in Canada has a small factory operating already. He claims that he's ready to blanket the continent with such factories.
• A Mexican View of the Border
  Juan Hernandez, former head of Mexico's Office for Mexicans Abroad, talks with Renee Montagne about President Bush's televised immigration address. Hernandez is the author of the book The New American Pioneers: Why Are We Afraid of Mexican Immigrants?.
• Weak Position Undermines Iran Nuclear Threat
  Barry Posen, a professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, speaks with Renee Montagne about fears that Iran would be a reckless nuclear power. He argues that Iran is weak politically and militarily, making it containable.
• Bush Calls for Border Troops, Guest Workers
  President Bush tells the nation in televised Oval Office speech on illegal immigration that "America can be a lawful society, and a welcoming society." The president plans to send 6,000 troops to help tighten the U.S.-Mexico border. But he also called again for a guest-worker program.
• New York Hopes to Nurture Artist Neighborhoods
  New York City is getting ready to unveil a plan it hopes will keep artists from being priced out of up-and-coming neighborhoods. It's an effort to break a cycle in which artists move into an undesirable neighborhood, make it a nice place to live and then get priced out of the area by rising property values. Andrea Bernstein of member station WNYC reports.
• Iraq Hospital Contract Canceled
  Host Renee Montagne reports on the decision of the Army Corps of Engineers to cancel a contract with an American company that was supposed to refurbish 20 hospitals in Iraq. The company failed to complete the work on time. Iraqi firms will be used to finish the project.
• Police Camera Feeds Shared with London Public
  Police surveillance cameras cover much of London already. Now, a new community television channel is being launched where residents of one neighborhood will be able to monitor their local surveillance cameras. The idea is that regular people will be able to report -- and deter -- crimes. Detractors say it's another step towards creating an Orwellian city.
• Bush Immigration Initiatives Earn Mixed Review
  President Bush used his national address last night to lay out his agenda on border and immigration issues. Renee Montagne speaks with Jennifer Ludden about the likely effectiveness of the president's border security proposal, and how his initiative is being received in Washington.

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