Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• After house explodes, authorities search for clues
  Investigators are sifting through the remains of an Edina home that exploded Tuesday afternoon, looking for clues about what happened after workers struck a gas line.7:16 a.m.
• Northstar rail ridership is higher than expected
  The rail service has now operated for two full months and more people are using it than officials projected, but money for an extension to St. Cloud is mired in the Legislature.7:20 a.m.
• Some townships foregoing plowing to save money
  For decades, county highway department plowed those roads and charged the townships an hourly fee. But last fall, when three vacancies opened in the highway department, the county saw an opportunity.7:36 a.m.
• Photography without a camera
  Marco Breuer is a photographer who usually doesn't use a camera. A show of his pictures opened this weekend at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. They appear to be abstracts, but there can be a lot going on in the images which you don't expect - and Breuer may not want you to know.7:52 a.m.
• Ramstad takes job at Hazelden
  Longtime Minnesota congressman Jim Ramstad has a new job. He's becoming a "senior policy adviser" on addiction issues for Hazelden treatment centers in Center City, Minnesota.8:16 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Health Care No Stranger To Reconciliation Process
  To get the president's health care plan passed, Democrats will likely use a process called budget reconciliation, which allows them to prevent a GOP filibuster and advance the bill with a simple majority. Republicans say the process was not designed for such a large bill, but reconciliation has often been used to move major health policy.
• Tax Status Of Lawmakers' Religious Refuge Disputed
  The C Street Center is a religious organization based in a townhouse on Capitol Hill. The townhouse has been home to several members of Congress. A group of ministers has filed a complaint with the IRS alleging that the organization is falsely labeling itself a tax-exempt religious establishment.
• Texas GOP Primary A Battle Of Conservative Cred
  Incumbent Gov. Rick Perry holds the top spot in the polls, ahead of sitting Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Perry figured out early how to ride the tide of conservative discontent by billing himself as a candidate of change. Meanwhile, a Tea Party candidate is making a surprisingly strong run.
• Obama Hopes Summit Propels Health Care Overhaul
  President Obama meets with Republican and Democats in Congress Thursday for a televised summit on overhauling health care. Lawmakers from both parties have suggested the meeting will amount to little more than political theater. The House and Senate each passed their own versions of health care overhaul but there's no final bill.
• Leaders Try To Cap Russia's Vodka Habit ... Again
  Every Russian leader, it seems, finds a new way to try to confront the country's addiction to alcohol. Now, it's President Dmitry Medvedev's turn. His approach: declaring war on cheap vodka. Vendors are now required to charge at least 89 rubles — or about $3 — for a half-liter of Russia's favorite drink.
• Festival Of Colors: The Celebration Of Holi
  Sunday marks the beginning of Holi, the Festival of Colors, a holiday observed by Hindus around the world. Commentator Sandip Roy has childhood memories of smearing himself with paint for the festivities in India. Nowadays, Hindus aren't the only ones getting in on the fun.
• Hyundai Recalls New Sonatas To Fix Door Latches
  South Korean carmaker Hyundai announced a voluntary recall of its new Sonata sedans on Wednesday. The problem is faulty door latches. Hyundai received complaints on Monday, suspended sales on Tuesday and is now announcing the recall. It affects about 13, 000 cars in the U.S.
• Laid Off GM Workers 'Cruze' Back To Lordstown
  GM is adding 1,200 jobs at its assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, to make the fuel-efficient compact Cruze. GM North America President Mark Reuss drove from Detroit to Lordstown in a Cruze, calling the compact the rebirth of the company. Reuss says the plant will rehire a full shift of laid off workers to make the vehicle.
• Fragile Economy Struggles to Rebound
  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke goes to Capitol Hill to deliver the Fed's semi-annual report on the economy and monetary policy Wednesday. David Wessel of The Wall Street Journal talks with Renee Montagne about the state of the global economy.
• FCC: High Cost Limits Internet Access
  The Federal Communications Commission released a report Tuesday that shows about 80 million American adults don't have a fast Internet connection in their homes. More than a third said it was just too expensive.

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