Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Book explores history through the story of one family
  In a new book Southwest State University historian Joseph Amato traces the story of his family across North America and Europe. In "Jacob's Well: A Case for Rethinking Family History," Amato talks about his ancestors and uses their stories to put a human face on historical events.6:50 a.m.
• Enzyme linked to high incidence of breast cancer
  The findings of a new Mayo Clinic study may change how doctors predict who will develop breast cancer and how they look for it.7:20 a.m.
• SD approves new oil pipeline
  The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has unanimously approved a construction permit for a new oil pipeline.7:25 a.m.
• The value of SXSW
  For Minnesota musicians who make it to South by Southwest, the event offers them the largest critical mass of music industry officials during the year. But does the hype equal the payoff for local bands?7:50 a.m.
• Coast Guard is breaking ice on Lake Superior
  It's one of the first signs of spring in Minnesota: It's time to break up the ice in the Duluth harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard is giving Mother Nature a hand in plowing through the ice. A Coast Guard vessel called the Alder is out this week. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Lt. Commander Kevin Wirth, the Alder's commanding officer.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Man Behind Arizona's Toughest Immigrant Laws
  State Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa is leading the legislative charge against illegal immigrants. If he had his way, citizenship would no longer be automatic for everyone born on U.S. soil.
• SXSW 2008: Three Artists to Watch
  This week, the South by Southwest music festival brings more than 1,700 bands to Austin, Texas, for a weekend that's all about volume in more ways than one. Narrowing down the seemingly limitless options isn't easy, but here are three acts likely to win some new fans in the coming days.
• Holy Smoke! It's Time for NCAA Brackets
  Deciding which teams will play for the NCAA basketball championship is a bit like picking a pope. To assemble the all-important brackets, officials gather in secret, like the cardinals. But instead of white smoke, they reveal their choices to CBS, which pays the bills.
• Obama's Mississippi Win Comes Amid Racial Divide
  Sen. Barack Obama topped Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's Mississippi primary. Despite overwhelming support in the African-American community for Obama, exit polls showed that he lost ground with white voters in what turned out to be the most racially polarized vote so far.
• If Florida and Michigan Vote Again, Who Pays?
  With the Democratic race for president coming down to only 100 delegates or so, Michigan and Florida are trying to regain their standing at the convention. That means both states may have to cast their ballots, again. But holding elections can cost tens of millions of dollars. So who's going to pay?
• Pennsylvania: Steel City and More Trivia
  The Democratic presidential candidates have six weeks to prepare for Pennsylvania's primary. So it's time to get to know the Keystone State a bit better. For example, it ranks 18th in agriculture production but first in mushrooms. Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne share some Pennsylvania facts.
• Negotiating America's Future in Iraq
  The Bush administration is negotiating with Iraqis about the future operations of U.S. soldiers and civilians in Iraq. The current agreement is set to expire at year end. Critics say any deal made without congressional consent will unnecessarily bind future administrations to a costly campaign. Steve Inskeep talks with one of the negotiators, Ambassador David Satterfield.
• New Yorkers Relish Irony in Spitzer Scandal
  The apparent unraveling of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's political career is playing like a soap opera in New York. Member station WNYC's Fred Mogul found a lot of people in New York City have dropped everything in favor of watching the real-life political drama unfold in the media.
• House Panel Questions Ashcroft on No-Bid Contract
  The House Judiciary Committee questions former Attorney General John Ashcroft about a no-bid contract, worth as much as $52 million, that his consulting firm got from a former colleague in the Justice Department. The job was to oversee compliance by a corporation that was under threat of being prosecuted unless it changed the way it did business. Such deferred prosecution agreements are not uncommon, and the committee wanted to know what rules the Justice Department follows in awarding the lucrative contracts.
• Deposed Thai Premier Maintains Rural Popularity
  Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pleads not guilty to corruption charges after returning from exile. He remains very popular, particularly among Thailand's rural people and urban poor for his financial and social welfare policies.

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