Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Exploring Dylan's home on the Range
  In honor of the 67th birthday of its most famous former resident, Hibbing celebrates "Dylan Days" this weekend. One of the people who will be in Hibbing for the festivities is writer Toby Thompson, author of "Positively Main Street."6:50 a.m.
• Vote to decide LRT route delayed
  An advisory panel for the Central Corridor light-rail project is giving the University of Minnesota one more week to make its case for an alternative route through campus.7:20 a.m.
• Ethanol producers defend their value
  Ethanol leaders say their industry is under attack and two unlikely groups have joined forces to orchestrate the battle. Oil companies and the grocery association blames ethanol for high food and fuel prices.7:25 a.m.
• Junk meets art to play golf
  This weekend, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis launches a summerlong celebration of the 20th anniversary of its sculpture garden. There will be exhibits, a huge "Rock the Garden" concert, and a brand new mini-golf course. Fourteen teams of designers, architects, painters, sculptors and other creative types each built green-themed holes.7:50 a.m.
• "Star Wars" exhibit opening at Science Museum this summer
  The phone lines lit up this week when tickets went on sale for an exhibit of memorabilia from the "Star Wars" movies opening at the Science Museum this summer in downtown St. Paul. The collection of costumes, models and props looks to be another big hit for the Science Museum of Minnesota, but the exhibition has Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola thinking about the promise and perils of populist art.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Hilary Hahn and Josh Ritter: An Uncommon Duo
  Their music might be vastly different, but when folk-rocker Josh Ritter and classical violinist Hilary Hahn share a concert stage, surprising connections develop between the two performers and their audience.
• Oil Executives Grilled Over Soaring Prices
  Seven weeks ago when major oil company executives spoke to Congress, oil cost about $100 a barrel. Now it's over $130. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday asked the oil executives why gas prices were so high.
• Sizing Up the NBA Finals
  The NBA Conference finals are underway. In the East, the Boston Celtics won Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons. In the West, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first game of their series.
• Letters: Bush at Furman, Witty Women
  Readers write in about President Bush's scheduled commencement address at Furman University and wonder why a story on clever one-liners in politics didn't feature more women.
• Italy Tackles Garbage Crisis, Illegal Immigration
  The new Italian government announces measures to deal with the Naples garbage crisis, and to combat illegal immigration. The plans include declaring the dumps national strategic areas to be protected by the military and tighter scrutiny of immigrants.
• Local U.K. Election May Signal Trouble for Brown
  A local election to fill a vacant seat in Parliament could spell more bad news for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The outcome is being closely watched for an indication of his declining popularity.
• Levin Urges Splitting Michigan Democratic Delegates
  Democrats in Michigan have been trying for months to get their pledged delegates counted. The state was stripped of its delegates after it defied Democratic Party rules and held its primary early. Host Renee Montagne talks with Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, who recommends splitting the delegates among the two candidates so the delegates can be seated at the Democratic National Convention.
• Clinton, Obama Campaign in Florida
  The Democratic presidential candidates Wednesday focused on Florida. Hillary Clinton promised to keeping fighting to get the state's delegates seated at the Democratic National Convention. With an eye to the November election, Barack Obama will spend several days campaigning in the important swing state.
• Microsoft Chief Egged On
  Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer got a rude reception while giving a speech in Budapest, Hungary. A young man stood up, began yelling at Ballmer, then began pelting the executive with eggs. Apparently the man was angry about what he believed to be Microsoft's role in limiting independent software development in Hungary.
• High Fuel Prices Keep Boats Docked
  The summer season in New Hampshire's Lakes Region is just getting started, but as gas prices continue to set records on land, some boat owners are keeping their vessels in storage or selling them altogether. That's already starting to affect marinas that store, dock, rent and sell boats. Other businesses, such as charter boats and tourist cruises, are setting their summer rates and weighing whether to swallow high fuel costs or pass them on to customers.
• Blood Banks Target High School Donors
  Faced with a need for deeper blood reserves, blood banks are stepping up their recruitment in high schools. And teenagers as young as 16 and 17 years old are responding to the blood drives, contributing about 10 percent of the nation's blood supply.
• Violence Against Foreigners Rocks South Africa
  Poor black South Africans have attacked poor black foreigners in and around Johannesburg who they say steal their jobs and commit crimes. At least 40 immigrants have been killed and thousands have fled to refugee shelters. Renee Montagne talks to Frans Cronje of the South African Institute of Race Relations about the outbreak of violence.
• Grow-Your-Own Veggies a Boon to Seed Companies
  The cost of groceries is going up this year, and so are the numbers of people who have started growing their own produce. Now seed companies are reporting a surge of orders.
• 'Recycling' Energy Seen Saving Companies Money
  A Chicago-based entrepreneur says many industrial power users can save money, get more electricity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using the energy they already consume more efficiently. It's called recycling energy — capturing waste heat and turning it into power.
• China Adds Counseling to Earthquake Relief Efforts
  China is mounting its largest-ever counseling operation for survivors of last week's massive earthquake. It's unprecedented in a country where mental health problems are generally seen as a source of shame. Experts say the psychological damage from the quake is extensive and could be long-lasting.

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