Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Budget shortfall leads state mental health programs to cut 200 positions
  The Minnesota Department of Human Services on Tuesday announced it will cut 200 full-time positions from a program that provides direct care to people with mental illnesses.6:20 a.m.
• State considers tougher copper-nickel mining rules
  A Senate committee takes up a bill today that would tighten the rules for copper-nickel mining, just as a half-dozen companies are in the midst of making plans to open such mines in northeastern Minnesota.6:25 a.m.
• Twin Cities Arab Film Festival keeps building
  This week the small but vibrant Arab community in the Twin Cities celebrates Arabic culture through film. Between tomorrow and Sunday 28 movies from around the world will screen at the sixth Twin Cities Arab Film Festival.7:25 a.m.
• Hecker faces more charges in fraud case
  Former Minnesota auto mogul Denny Hecker faces eight additional counts of wire fraud and new bankruptcy fraud charges in an alleged multi-million dollar scheme to defraud lenders, according to a new indictment returned Tuesday by a federal grand jury.7:35 a.m.
• Newscut blogger highlights census two-step
  You probably have not received your census form in the mail quite yet, but most American households have received an "advance letter" from the Census.8:25 a.m.
• Identity theft fraud rings evolving
  Two people have pleaded guilty so far in what investigators call a massive case of identity theft and bank fraud here in Minnesota. At least 10 Minnesotans have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.8:35 a.m.
• Fraud finds its way in the front door--and to China
  Each year about 15 million U.S. residents become victims of identity theft. The most common kind of identity theft is credit card fraud. It might not seem like something to worry about - until it happens to you, as commentary editor Eric Ringham found out.8:40 a.m.
• Colleges hand out emergency cash to more students
  Paying for college isn't easy, and one unexpected bill like a car repair could be enough to force a student to drop out. Most Minnesota colleges have a little-known pool of money set aside to help students facing financial hardships to stay in school.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Fear Of Taliban Hinders U.S. Efforts In Marjah
  U.S. Marines are now trying to build relationships with local people after gaining ground in the southern Afghanistan area of Marjah. But after two years of Taliban control, the group's presence is still deeply felt — especially the threats sent in "night letters" to those who cooperate with foreigners.
• Afghan Women Wary Of Overtures To Taliban
  Taliban rule was a dark period for women in Afghanistan, and they want to make sure their fears are not forgotten as the new government in Kabul tries to find ways to make peace with the fighters.
• 'Soros Lectures' Shares Wisdom, Criticisms
  George Soros has made billions of dollars predicting the ups and downs of global financial markets. Soros speaks to Steve Inskeep about his new book The Soros Lectures: At the European University. It is Soros' dissertation on why the world financial system is so flawed — and what corrective steps will help.
• British Coroner Blames Military For Soldiers' Deaths
  A coroner in Britain has ruled that four British troops who died in Afghanistan were "unlawfully killed." He pointed the finger of blame not at the Taliban, but at the British defense establishment. Coroner David Masters also cited serious inadequacies in training and equipment which emerged during the inquest, and said he would raise the issue with the Defense Ministry.
• Global University Eliminates Barriers To Education
  At University of the People, students from across the globe have access to free online classes in business administration and computer science. The school has attracted about 380 students from 81 countries. But in order to survive, the university needs more to enroll, its founder says.
• Patty Larkin: 25 Songs, 25 Friends, 25 Years
  For 25, Patty Larkin recorded voice and guitar for 25 songs, then let friends such as Rosanne Cash, Erin McKeown and Martin Sexton do the rest. Twenty-five not only represents the number of songs and collaborators, but also how many years it's been since Larkin made her first recordings.
• Bank Of America Ends Overdraft Fees On Debit Cards
  The nation's largest banks says when customers don't have enough money in their accounts, purchases will not go through. A spokesperson for Bank of America says consumer research shows that people prefer to have a transaction declined rather than have the purchase go through and be charged an overdraft fee.
• Job Openings Up Sharply In January
  The Labor Department reported on Tuesday that job openings increased in January. The number of openings in January rose about 7.6 percent to 2.7 million, compared with December. It is still a tough job market, however, but with some signs of improvement.
• Training Displaced Workers But For What Jobs?
  In Dayton, Ohio, Sinclair Community College has been a driving force in helping retrain the unemployed so they can find work after graduation. But high paying manufacturing jobs don't seem to be coming back, and any good job is tough to find.
• Company Offers First 'Practical' Jetpack
  A New Zealand company is selling a 500 pound gadget that will shoot you a mile high. In the Martin Jetpack, you can fly around for 30 minutes on a full tank of gas. It costs $90,000.

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