Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Pogemiller in spotlight as session nears
  The big question leading into the legislative session is whether Sen. Larry Pogemiller can work with Republican Gov. Pawlenty, whom he has repeatedly criticized over the past four years.6:50 a.m.
• Fire chief deal rejected
  The Minneapolis City Council's executive committee has rejected the terms of a settlement agreement with fire chief Bonnie Bleskachek. Mayor R.T. Rybak had recommended approval of the settlement, which would have meant her demotion to captain.7:20 a.m.
• Courting changes in drug prosecution
  When Hennepin County started its drug court nearly a decade ago, nearly all felony-level drug offenders were eligible. Now, a multi-agency task force has decided to focus the special court on those who are addicted and at high risk to re-offend.7:24 a.m.
• State predicts $2 billion budget surplus over next three years
  The surplus means lawmakers are likely to face a parade of proposals for spending the money in the 2007 session. Gov. Pawlenty also has proposed a plan that would give some of the money back to taxpayers.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• In Kalamazoo, a Promise Boosts School Enrollment
  A bold, new experiment in southwestern Michigan is filling public-school classrooms and reshaping a community. The Kalamazoo Promise is an offer made by anonymous donors to help pay college tuition for high school seniors.
• Bush Turns from NATO and Afghanistan to Iraq
  President Bush wraps up the NATO summit in Latvia, where the focus has been on Afghanistan, and heads to Jordan for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
• Auto Giants Put Best Wheel Forward in Los Angeles
  The Los Angeles Auto Show is the scene of hopes and dreams, for both automakers and consumers. John Ydstie talks to Paul Eisenstein, the publisher of thecarconnection.com, about the auto industry's direction.
• Muslim Relationship with the Vatican Evolving
  One Islamic scholar says that Islamic-Christian relations are good, at least on a local level in the United States. And at the Vatican there are some "moderate, good voices."
• Pope Seeks to Boost Image Among Muslims
  Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Turkey was originally intended to focus on links with the Orthodox Christian church. But it has been expanded to cover relations the Muslims.
• College Football Bowls Lack Real Meaning
  College bowls are ruled by a "goofy" system that puts two teams in one bowl for a championship game, nearly a month after the end of the regular college football season. The outcomes are meaningless.
• Iraqis in Jordan Watch Developments Back Home
  The United Nations says that each month more than 100,000 Iraqis flee their homes. Many have ended up taking shelter in Jordan. But they still follow closely events back home.
• Court: Dollars Need Differentiation for the Blind
  Close your eyes and reach into your wallet. Can you tell the difference between a $5 and a $10 bill? No. And neither can people who are blind. Now, a federal judge is asking that something be added to paper money to make it distinguishable by touch, or by sound.
• Colorado Marine Chose to Lead, Serve in Iraq
  Marine Cpl. Kyle W. Powell of Colorado Springs, Colo., died earlier this month in Fallujah, Iraq. The 21-year-old was on his third combat tour when a roadside bomb he discovered detonated, killing Powell and a fellow Marine.
• Russian Government Squelches Dissent in the Media
  Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died last week from radiation poisoning. But questions linger about who was responsible. Journalist David Remnick discusses the threat of violence in President Vladamir Putin's Russia.
• Los Angeles Council to Rule on Harassment Case
  A major racial harassment case involving the fire department in Los Angeles and one of its firefighters was originally settled for millions of dollars. But the mayor moved to block the settlement. The Los Angeles City Council is now set to rule on a final settlement.
• Non-Partisan Wild Dogs Stand Guard in Afghanistan
  When training the Afghan National Army on a former Russian military base, one challenge comes from packs of wild dogs. Attacks are not unheard of. But there is a silver lining.
• British Treatment of Injured Soldiers Questioned
  In the 1990s, Britain's conservative government began shutting down Britain's military hospitals. Today, Military casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan are being treated at public hospitals around the country. The treatment they receive has been the source of controversy.
• Turkish Christians Face Hurdles to Keeping the Faith
  Much of the attention this week is swirling around the Pope and Turkey's Muslims. But Turkey's religious minorities have their own challenges, especially Christians. They make up less than half a percent of the country's population.
• Analysts: Iraq Chaos Demands Urgent Response
  Members of the Iraq Study Group are expected to make their recommendations on the direction of U.S. involvement in the next few weeks. But analysts say that events in Iraq are moving so quickly that the proposed recommendations may have lost their relevance by the time they are revealed.

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