Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Locals wary of property tax cap
  The Legislature has passed a measure to hold down property taxes, but some worry the cap will come at the expense of local control, road maintenance and health care programs.7:20 a.m.
• Higher Ed cuts should spare students higher tuitions
  A nearly $21 million state budget reduction for higher education should not result in additional tuition increases by Minnesota's state-supported systems.7:25 a.m.
• A familiar spring journey makes a man wistful
  Tennyson says that in the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love, but spring -- plus a trip down an old familiar road -- has commentator Peter Smith feeling a bit melancholy.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Reporter-Turned-Prosecutor Heads High-Profile Case
  The investigation of Special Counsel Scott Bloch is one of the most sensitive, politically charged investigations in Washington, D.C. The man in charge of the case has an unusual background — for a federal prosecutor. Jim Mitzelfeld, who won a Pulitzer Prize at the Detroit News in 1994, once told his friends, "Being a prosecutor is a lot like being a reporter, except you have subpoena power."
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer 101
  For a while Monday, the most viewed story on NPR.org was about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. NPR's Jamie Tarabay says the TV character kept her sane in Baghdad. This may not surprise people at Ursinus College, where Pofessor Lynne Edwards teaches a course on Buffy. One study says Buffy raises eternal questions of good and evil.
• Christmas in May
  In the old sitcom Roseanne, John Goodman's character saw no point taking down the Christmas tree. Why waste a perfectly good Easter Sunday? The town of Winsted, Conn., made it past Easter. Decorations there were removed only last week. Officials site soft ground as the hold up.
• Westerners Play Pivotal Role in Afghan Rebuilding
  Governmental, nongovernmental and military groups from the U.S. and other Western countries are part of the considerable efforts to reconstruct war-torn Afghanistan. But critics are debating what the best way is for them to help.
• 'Death Note' Gets Furious, Albeit Brief Screen Debut
  When it comes to marketing a movie, the new Indiana Jones movie almost sells itself. But if you're backing a Japanese film adapted from a comic book, you have to be a bit more creative. Beth Accomando reviews the new film, Death Note, which opens in 300 U.S. multiplexes — but only for two days.
• Private Companies Bid on Pennsylvania Turnpike
  A Spanish firm and Citigroup offered Pennsylvania $12.8 billion to manage the state's turnpike. Gov. Ed Rendell has endorsed the deal, which some say could be the largest toll-roads deal ever. Lawmakers must now decide if a for-profit company should oversee the turnpike.
• Aftershock Warning Sets Chengdu on Guard
  In the wake of a powerful earthquake that devastated the region last week, an official warning of a major aftershock sends Chengdu, China, into a panic. Millions of people spent the night sleeping outside, others fled the city.
• McCain's Challenge: Shoring Up Republican Divisions
  While the Democratic presidential candidates have been battling through the primary season, the presumptive Republican nominee has been looking ahead to the general election. Sen. John McCain must decide how to navigate between the party's conservative and moderate factions. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Juan Williams about McCain's campaign strategy.
• Iraqi Army Pushes into Baghdad Shiite Stronghold
  Iraqi forces launch an offensive in Sadr City in northeast Baghdad, the power base of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. It's the latest step by the Iraqi government to assert control over the area.
• Bush Signs Bill to Halt Oil Stockpiling
  President Bush signed Monday a bill that temporarily stops the collection of oil for the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Sponsors of the bill hope the freed up oil will lower energy prices.
• L.A. Developer Sells 18 Houses in Single Auction
  For months now, Californians have been grappling with a hugely depressed housing market. A stressed builder managed to dodge the bullet, however, with an old-fashioned strategy.
• U.S.-Backed Offensive Weakens Basra Militias
  A government offensive in the southern Iraq city of Basra has met with success. Initially, U.S.-led Iraqi forces met with stiff resistance from Shiite militias. But after two months, Basra's streets are clear. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro.
• Hello Kitty Tapped for Diplomacy
  Hello Kitty, Japan's chubby-cheeked, white cartoon cat is one of the most powerful and lucrative brands in the world. And this week, the fictional character has been selected as an envoy; officials in Tokyo have named her their official tourism ambassador to Hong Kong and China.
• Senate Set to Approve Homeowner Rescue Package
  Senate leaders have agreed on legislation that aims to limit the rising number of foreclosures. The Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday is expected to approve the bill. President Bush hasn't said whether he'll sign it. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with NPR's Jim Zarroli about the legislation.
• Myanmar Considers Aid from Asian Neighbors
  Thousands remain missing in Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis, but the country has allowed only limited assistance from the outside world. Myanmar may now accept help from its immediate neighbors after a recent emergency meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to BBC reporter Andrew Harding.

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