Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Facing the golden years on the streets
  The segment of homeless people aged 55 and over is growing. One outreach worker has noticed that many of the older people who slept at shelters don't need to be there.6:50 a.m.
• Met Council approves light rail for Central Corridor
  The Metropolitan Council approved a proposal to connect Minneapolis and St. Paul with a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line that would travel mainly along University Avenue. The Central Corridor LRT was approved by a 15-2 vote, favored over another proposal for bus rapid transit. The Federal Tranist Administration will decide whether to implement the plan this fall.7:20 a.m.
• Some metro area hospitals are facing budget crunch
  First quarter figures are down for organizations including Fairview Health Services and Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Hospitals are citing a long list of reasons for these revenue shortfalls, and they are now looking for ways tighten their belts. Gregg Redfield, Vice President of Finance for the Minnesota Hospital Association spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.7:24 a.m.
• Data from 50,000 Minnesota taxpayers gone missing
  State tax officials disclosed Wednesday that a package containing private information on 50,000 taxpayers - mostly businesses being audited for back taxes - has been missing for more than a month.7:50 a.m.
• DWI summer crackdown announced for Hennepin and Ramsey counties
  People heading out to the Taste of Minnesota this weekend or other events this summer should be prepared to see more state patrol officers. Wednesday, the state patrol announced that officers in Hennepin and Ramsey counties will increase enforcement to reduce drunk driving this summer. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Lt. Mark Peterson, a spokesman for the Minnesota State Patrol7:54 a.m.
• Galligan: 'I've accomplished what I set out to do' at Ordway
  David Galligan, President and CEO of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, announced that he will leave the organization Friday. He talked with MPR's Greta Cunningham about his decision.8:25 a.m.
• Disparities persist in Minnesota's justice sytem
  Racial disparities continue to exist in Minnesota's criminal justice system, according to the latest report from the Council on Crime and Justice, a private non-profit research group that has been studying the issue.8:54 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Rains Force Evacuations in Pennsylvania
  Tens of thousands of people in Pennsylvania have evacuated their homes near the rising Susquehanna River. As many as 200,000 people were ordered to leave flood-prone areas after record rainfall threatened levees.
• National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley
  The President meets regularly with his top advisers about the security situation in Iraq. His National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley attends these meetings. He talks with Steve Inskeep about what the president wants to know, and what he needs to know.
• Music Therapy May Help Ease Pain
  Approaching death can be a long descent into pain and fear, and drugs and social support may not ease these worries. Alternative medicine is increasingly accepted as part of palliative care, and some studies show music is one method to ease pain and stress at the end of life.
• Bedrails Can Cause Deaths in Frail, Elderly
  Bedrails are simple, metal devices that are supposed to keep frail people in bed and offer support. But if they're not assembled correctly, they can cause death by entrapment. The FDA has issued guidelines for the devices, and experts advise families to be on the lookout.
• U.S.-Japan Relationship Questioned as Koizumi Exits
  President Bush hopes to strengthen already close ties with Japan in meetings with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Koizumi is on a farewell tour as he prepares to step down in September. Some Japanese fear the U.S.-Japan relationship has become too close.
• Bush Administration Rebuffed by Supreme Court
  In a 5-3 decision, the Supreme Court rules that President Bush overstepped his authority in ordering military tribunals for some Guantanamo detainees. Duke University's Scott Silliman tells Susan Stamberg that the Bush administration will now have to go back to the drawing board to find a solution for the detainees.
• Supreme Court Rules Against Bush on Guantanamo
  The Supreme Court rules against President Bush on his administration's handling of war crimes trials for Guantanamo Bay detainees. The ruling says the proposed trials for Guantanomo detainees were illegal under U.S. law and international Geneva conventions.
• Summers Looks Back at Harvard Presidency
  Lawrence Summers, who is departing as president of Harvard University after a five-year tenure, talks with Susan Stamberg about the controversy he generated, and what he thinks are his accomplishments.
• G8 Countries Demand Answer from Iran
  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Moscow to discuss the West's nuclear standoff with Iran. She's meeting with foreign ministers from the G8 -- the group of eight leading industrial countries. They'll also go over the agenda for next month's G8 summit in Russia's second city, St. Petersburg.
• Highways Change the Face of America
  The interstate highway system is the result of the largest earth-moving project in human history -- so large that it's been called the "51st state." The system accelerated suburban development, changed shipping, leisure travel and American culture as a whole.
• Supreme Court Gives States Redistricting Leeway
  The Supreme Court has issued a major decision on legislative re-apportionment. Based on a Texas case, the court ruled that state legislatures may redraw congressional district lines when they see fit. Traditionally, legislatures have reworked districts every 10 years with the census. The ruling may set off a wave of attempts to redraw districts across the United States.
• Female Candidates Shake Up Kuwaiti Elections
  Voters in the oil-rich Gulf Emirate of Kuwait go to the polls. Candidates are vying for 50 seats in Parliament. For the first time, women are allowed to vote and run for office. Female candidates have struggled to gain recognition but their efforts, and an anti-corruption movement, have shaken up the quiet country.
• Israel Seizes Hamas Ministers and Lawmakers
  Israeli forces in Gaza have arrested dozens of Palestinian ministers and lawmakers from the ruling Hamas party. Israel entered Gaza after Palestinian militants captured a young Israeli soldier. Israel has promised continuing military action if the soldier is not released. Also, the body of a kidnapped 18-year-old Jewish settler was found in the West Bank, according to Israeli security officials. Steve Inskeep talks to Linda Gradstein.
• Missing Insurgent E-Mail
  What could bring peace to Iraq? E-mail, perhaps? In a televised speech, Iraq's Prime Minister asked insurgents to e-mail him at a special address. He assured them confidentiality. But so far, a report says, the government has gotten just two messages. There might be more if they repeated the address -- but they don't want to do that. They're worried about flood of spam.
• New York Town Isolated by Rising Water
  Fire Chief Jim Jacob of Walton, N.Y., talks with Steve Inskeep about flooding in the Northeast. Walton sits along the Delaware River and is accessible only by bridges. Because of the flooding, the bridges are out and there is no access in or out of the village.

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