Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• State government halts, finger pointing starts
  The Minnesota state government shut down early Friday after budget talks broke down Thursday between Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP legislative leaders.January 7, 2011
• State employees feel the pain of shutdown
  State employees start their first day of a forced vacation without pay today. While lawmakers went in and out of budget negotiations, the employees packed up offices and readied government departments for a shutdown.January 7, 2011
• Visitors told to leave as state parks close
  Staff in Minnesota's 66 state parks closed up facilities, shut off water and electricity, and told visitors it was time to leave.January 7, 2011
• Q & A: How will the shutdown affect roads?
  Metro Transit buses and trains are operating on normal schedules, the Stillwater Lift Bridge is open, but road construction projects have stopped.January 7, 2011
• List: What's open and what's closed in the shutdown?
  A handy list of which state services are closed and which are open in the state government shutdown.January 7, 2011
• The political dynamics of a shutdown
  This shutdown is much more extensive than the partial shutdown the state saw in 2005. A court order is keeping money flowing to services deemed essential. Reporter Tim Pugmire was up late last night as budget talks broke down.January 7, 2011
• Voters: Why can't our leaders make a deal?
  Minnesotans around the Twin Cities answer the question, "Why do you think the Minnesota legislature and governor reach a budget deal?"January 7, 2011
• Republican Sen. Amy Koch defends her role in the budget talks
  Morning Edition invited Republican Sen. Amy Koch to defend her role in the budget talks.January 7, 2011
• Special Master hears appeals to re-open some state services
  Hearings were under way Friday morning at the the Minnesota Judicial Center. Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz is considering whether parts of Minnesota state government should be re-opened.January 7, 2011
• Shutdown stress begins for state workers, others
  The government shutdown that began early today was affecting state workers, the private sector and families who tried to visit the Minnesota Zoo.January 7, 2011

National Public Radio Stories

• Expert Grilling: Barbecue, Peaches And Spicy Corn
  Tired of the same old burgers and hot dogs for July 4? Barbecue master Steven Raichlen joins Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep to explore some other options. The menu includes cinnamon-speared peaches, Mexican grilled corn, and pulled pork sliders.
• Breakfast At Libertarian Summer Camp
  Last weekend, a group of libertarians and anarchists gathered in the woods of northern New Hampshire for the annual Porcupine Freedom Festival. I went up for breakfast.
• Daughter And Dad: Strong Ties And Big Questions
  Bob and Alice Gerold adopted their daughter, Aimee, from China when she was a baby. Now 14, Aimee has many questions about how her parents met, and why they decided to adopt. She spoke with her father recently to get the answers.
• Moroccans Vote On New Constitution
  Moroccan voters go to the polls on Friday in a nationwide referendum on political changes proposed by the king. Morocco, like other countries in North Africa and the Middle East, was swept by pro-democracy demonstrations at the beginning of the year. Demonstrators protested a lack of freedoms, weak economy and political corruption.
• After 90 Years, Graft Threatens China's Communists
  The Communist Party in China is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Inside the Great Hall was the official celebration. But in another section of Beijing, one party member used the occasion to protest what he says are corrupt party officials.
• New CNN News Chief Takes Stock
  The network's top news executive says CNN, which continually lags in ratings during prime time, is studying its audiences and its coverage to figure out where to go next. Mark Whitaker says he hopes the intensively newsy spring helps CNN recover its sense of purpose.
• 'Larry Crowne' Is 'Hollow And Unconvincing'
  Larry Crowne stars Tom Hanks, who also directed and co-wrote the movie. It co-stars Julia Roberts. This movie's love connection between student and teacher is one of the most unconvincing in memory.
• Royal Wedding Ends Monaco's Wait For A Princess
  The tiny European territory that lost its beloved Princess Grace in a car crash in 1982 is finally getting another princess. Prince Albert II of Monaco, 53 and a longtime bachelor, will wed South African Charlene Wittstock over a weekend of ceremonies and celebrations.
• Amazon Cuts Ties With Calif. Affiliates To Avoid Tax
  Under a new law signed by Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown, online retailers like Amazon are supposed to start collecting sales taxes, even when they're based outside the state. Amazon says the new law is unconstitutional, and it won't collect the tax. One way the company is trying to avoid it, is by severing ties with about 10,000 small businesses and individual blogs based in the state which link to Amazon.com through their websites.
• Minnesota's Government Closed For Business
  Thousands of state workers in Minnesota are being told to stay home Friday after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a new state budget. That also means tax refund checks will not be going out and zoos and parks will likely be closed this holiday weekend. This is the second shutdown for Minnesota in six years.

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