Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Honoring St. Paul's retired firefighters
  Cathy Wurzer talked with a current and retired St. Paul firefighters about the history African-American firefighters in St. Paul.6:55 a.m.
• Candidates criticize budget plans at 11th gubernatorial debate
  The three major candidates in Minnesota's wide-open race for governor are dialing up the criticism of each others' plans for tackling a looming state budget crisis.7:20 a.m.
• Drug-resistant superbugs tied to food supply
  Minnesota health officials say drug-resistant bacteria found here are just as worrisome as recent cases tied to India, and that changes are needed in how antibiotics are used in humans, and in the food supply.7:25 a.m.
• Review says Duluth officer justified in shooting of teen
  An independent review has determined a Duluth police officer was justified in a shooting that took the life of a teenage boy.7:35 a.m.
• 1,550 miles around Lake Superior, on foot
  On April 29, Mike Link and Kate Crowley set out on a 1,550-mile trek around Lake Superior. The hikers are nearly done with their journey and sent us these photos from their trip. EDITOR'S NOTE: Link and Crowley estimated in April that their trip would be 1,800 miles, which MPR had reported, but now say it will be about 1,550 miles.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Mideast Peace: Much Activity, No Visible Progress
  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. peace envoy George Mitchell head in separate directions Thursday as they try to push forward Arab-Israeli peace. Clinton is visiting the West Bank and Jordan, while Mitchell heads to Syria and Lebanon. There's been a lot of Middle East diplomacy and reports of serious negotiations but so far no visible progress.
• Palestinians Make Strides In West Bank Security
  The Palestinian Authority has taken a larger role in restoring order in the territory, forming a new civilian police and a security force trained and funded by the U.S. and the EU. It's considered a success story -- and key in the resumption of peace talks with Israel -- but a report says it's hard to sustain.
• Tea Party Supporters Debate Movement's Direction
  Morning Edition is taking a closer look at the groups that make up the Tea Party. Steve Inskeep talks to Toby Marie Walker, lead facilitator for the Waco Tea Party, and Bryan Fischer, of the American Family Association. Walker says the Tea Party's issues need to remain strictly fiscal. Fischer says that if the Tea Party doesn't incorporate social issues into its agenda, it runs the risk of dividing the conservative movement.
• Hayward Defends BP's Record In U.K. Testimony
  BP's outgoing CEO Tony Hayward was questioned by British lawmakers Wednesday. They wanted to talk to him about BP's safety record -- particularly in the North Sea, in the light of the Gulf oil disaster. Hayward defended his company's record, and said there was no need for Britain to introduce a ban on deep-sea drilling.
• Report: Nearly 1 In 7 Americans Were Poor In '09
  About 43.6 million people were poor last year in the United States. But the poverty rate didn't go as high as some had predicted. Demographers with the U.S. Census Bureau, which released the figures Thursday, said unemployment benefits helped to cushion some of the impact of the recession.
• X Prize Marks Fuel-Efficiency Spot For Future Cars
  The top winner in the $10 million automotive X Prize competition is a gas-powered super-efficient vehicle made in the U.S. It can get more than 100 miles per gallon and carry four passengers. Two electric cars will also share the prize.
• Homes Lost To Foreclosure Surge
  New foreclosure data shows lenders took back more homes in August than in any month since the start of the U.S. mortgage crisis three years ago. Foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac Inc. says about 95,000 homes were repossessed by lenders last month.
• Panel: TARP's Faults Eroded Government Confidence
  The panel Congress appointed to watch over TARP expenditures is out with another report. This one on the eve of the expiration of the Treasury Department's controversial bank bailout fund.
• Designers Get Fierce With Copyright On The Catwalk
  With New York Fashion Week under way, here are a few things you can count on: tiny models, a sea of cameras and the latest spring fashions being copied pretty much as soon as they hit the runway. That last point is something designers are trying to put a stop to.
• New Airline Seat Offers Less Legroom, More Savings
  One company has designed a seat that could help pack more customers into planes. The SkyRider frees up space by decreasing the amount of legroom by several inches. It's got arm rests, a nearly vertical seat back and a seat shaped like a horse saddle. Passengers would sit in an almost squatting position, leaning a bit forward with their weight on their legs.

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