Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Officials wait for next move in emerald ash borer fight
  Officials in the Twin Cities are trying to figure out what to do next about the emerald ash borer.6:55 a.m.
• How to take advantage of weatherization money
  The federal economic stimulus package includes $132 million for Minnesota to pay for improvements to make homes more energy efficient. The city of Minneapolis will get about $13 million, and officials plan to start spending that money soon.7:20 a.m.
• Mortgage rescues happening, but slowly
  New numbers from the federal government reveal a tiny glimmer of hope that lenders are doing a better job of helping homeowners avoid foreclosure, even though help is slow in coming.7:40 a.m.
• Art Hounds: The Big Slam, Yo Gabba Gabba art & After the Burial
  This week's Art Hounds are excited about a premiere poetry slam at Pepito's Parkway Theater, the art behind the trippy TV show for kids called "Yo Gabba Gabba," and the ground-shaking progressive metal of the Twin Cities' own "After the Burial."8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• China Pins Violence On Uighur Activist In D.C.
  When violence erupted in western China on Sunday, the government blamed someone who wasn't even there. Rebiya Kadeer, who has been accused of masterminding an uprising by ethnic Uighurs, says she's never encouraged violence, but she is fighting from Washington, D.C., for the freedom of her fellow Uighurs.
• Robot Attracts Customers To Ramen Shop
  A ramen shop owner in Japan has blended his love for noodles with his passion for electronics. Customers enter his store and tap into a computer their preferred levels of salt and soy sauce and broth richness. The robot then whips up the perfect broth. Humans are still needed to make the noodles and place them in the bowl.
• Weatherization Program Hits Rough Stretch
  With the unemployment rate nearing 10 percent, people are starting to wonder why the massive federal economic stimulus package hasn't put more people to work. One of the programs that was supposed to produce tens of thousands of jobs quickly, is encountering some unexpected hangups.
• Prominent Lawyer To Be Sentenced For Fraud
  Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to sentence a prominent Manhattan lawyer to 145 years in prison, after he admitted to defrauding hedge funds of more than $400 million. Marc Dreier is to be sentenced on Monday. He is free on bail until his sentencing.
• Sen. Brown: Ohio Frustrated Stimulus Lagging
  President Obama's approval rating has dipped below 50 percent in the swing state of Ohio. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) talks with Steve Inskeep about whether the economic stimulus package is working. Brown says people in his state are frustrated because they had hoped to see results from the plan by now.
• Jobless Rate Prompts Calls For More Stimulus Funds
  As the unemployment rate rises, there have been calls for another stimulus package — even though there are few visible signs that the last injection of funds has had an effect. And while voters are increasingly unhappy about unemployment, they are also increasingly concerned about rising deficits. David Wessel of The Wall Street Journal talks with Renee Montagne about whether another stimulus package is necessary.
• Professor: China Changes Protest Strategy
  China is trying to maintain stability in the western region of the country, after deadly riots killed 165 people. Robbie Barnett, a professor of modern Tibetan studies at Columbia University, says the government handled this unrest differently than it did with last year's crackdown in Tibet. He says Tibet was locked down, while journalists were taken to Urumqi to see the damage.
• Sotomayor: Tough Kid Turns Unintimidated Judge
  The Senate Judiciary Committee holds confirmation hearings next week on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would be the 111th justice to serve, the third woman and the first Hispanic. Sotomayor grew up in a tough New York neighborhood but demonstrated that with hard work, she could change her circumstances.
• Pro-Marijuana Ad Touts Pot As Calif. Budget Fix
  California has found some people who want to pay more taxes. The Marijuana Policy Project bought TV time. Their 30 second ad says taxing the drug could help the state with its budget problems.
• Turtles Delay Flights At New York's JFK Airport
  Flights were delayed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Wednesday, after more than 70 turtles crawled onto the tarmac. The turtles aren't strangers to the airport which is surrounded by waterways and swampland.
• New Honduran Government Accused Of Censorship
  Coup leaders who overthrew Honduran President Manuel Zelaya are defying international pressure to reinstate him. Outside Honduras, the circumstances of Zelaya's removal seem clear — a military coup ousted the democratically-elected leader. But many Hondurans see if differently. Press freedom groups say that's because the Honduran media has openly sided with de-facto President Roberto Micheletti's government.
• Letters: Listener Wants A Break From 'Old' News
  A listener from Wichita, Kan., writes he turned 51 over the weekend, and was hit with it all at once when he listened to Monday's program. That show included stories on elderly drivers, osteoarthritis and early-onset Alzheimers. Other listeners commented on the interview with food writer Nigella Lawson; and an analogy used to describe President Obama's public health care plan.
• Obama Picks Dr. Francis Collins To Head NIH
  President Obama has chosen Dr. Francis Collins to head the National Institutes of Health. Collins helped unravel the human genetic code. He's also known for finding common ground between a belief in God and science.
• 51-Year Dodger Announcer Calls Games In Spanish
  Most fans of baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers are familiar with legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. But the Dodgers' organization includes another Hall of Fame broadcaster. Jaime Jarrin has been calling games in Spanish for 51 years. Renee Montagne went to Dodger Stadium and talked with Jarrin, who has become a major figure in Hispanic broadcasting.
• 13 Indicted In $100 Million Mortgage Fraud Case
  Prosecutors in New York have charged 13 people with running a massive mortgage fraud scheme. Authorities say they defrauded homeowners and banks of more than $100 million. Prosecutors say 25 people were involved in the scheme, and already 12 have pleaded guilty.

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