Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New group launched to fight illegal drug use
  Minnesota will soon have new group fighting illegal drug use in the state. It's called the Partnership for a Drug-Free Minnesota. It's a local chapter of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which is best known for its anti-drug campaigns in print and broadcast media. Carol Falkowski, the director of the Chemical Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, was instrumental in forming the chapter.7:20 a.m.
• Grandparents are more often raising their kids' kids
  The number of children who are being raised by their grandparents in Minnesota has more than doubled since the 1990s. When grandparents step in to care for their grandchildren, they face lots of challenges.7:50 a.m.
• Minneapolis Wi-Fi network to be completed by month's end
  The installation of Minneapolis' Wi-Fi network will be finished at the end of this month. The Minneapolis network appears to be doing much better than other cities' attempts at wireless broadband internet access.8:25 a.m.
• Coleman launches re-election bid
  Republican U.S. Senator Norm Coleman will officially kick off his bid for re-election later this morning. Coleman is expected to face one of two DFLers-- comedian and author Al Franken or college professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Chris Cillizza about the race. Cillizza covers politics and writes "The Fix" for washingtonpost.com.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• 'Cheese' Heroin Hooking Young Users in Dallas
  A cheap but highly addictive form of heroin known as "cheese" has swept through Dallas in recent years, and local health officials are seeing Hispanic children as young as 9 suffering from the crushing effects of withdrawal.
• After the Techno Lust, There's Always E-Cycling
  Americans are using — and getting rid of — more electronic devices than ever. As technology improves and gets cheaper, old cell phones, computers, iPods and digital cameras end up in desk drawers, basements — or on the curb.
• Public Schools Expand Curriculum Online
  Students across the country are heading online for classes their public schools don't teach. In Virginia, a virtual program allows small schools to offer more advanced placement classes and compete with private schools, which use AP courses as a selling point.
• Warring Militants Threaten Iraq's Fragile Security
  Iraq may be facing the gravest challenge to its fragile security in more than a year. Shiite militiamen loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are fighting Iraqi government forces for control of Basra, and the violence has spread to Baghdad. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says the militamen have 72 hours to lay down arms.
• Pakistan Bristles at U.S. Envoys' Arrival
  Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher met with Pakistan's new leaders Wednesday in Islamabad. Officials in the new government have indicated to the top senior U.S. envoys that the U.S. relationship with Pakistan will have to change.
• Better Tests Needed to Control Tuberculosis
  The World Health Organization reports a slowdown in progress against tuberculosis. In some countries, the disease is coming back. In others, it is taking on new and more deadly forms. And in poor countries, many people don't find out that they have TB until it's too late to treat them — and too late to protect others from infection.
• WHO Reports Polio Eradicated in Somalia
  The World Health Organization says a massive vaccination campaign has eliminated polio in Somalia. But with war, drought and food shortages bringing on a catastrophic humanitarian crisis there, polio "could absolutely return," one doctor says.
• Tibetan Exile Group Presses for Independence
  Western governments are stepping up pressure on China to stop its violent crackdown in Tibet. Tsewang Rigzin, head of an exile group called the Tibetan Youth Congress, says his group reveres the Dalai Lama but disagrees with him on how far to go in pushing for freedom.
• McCain Urges Cuts over Bailouts in Mortgage Crisis
  Not to be outdone by the Democratic presidential candidates, Sen. John McCain on Tuesday offered his own plan for managing the mortgage crisis. The presumptive GOP nominee's plan would rely more on private sector cooperation and tax cuts rather than federal bailouts.
• India's Tata to Buy Jaguar, Land Rover from Ford
  Tata, India's top carmaker, recently unveiled the world's cheapest car, called the Nano. Now, Tata is aiming for the other end of the market. The company announced Wednesday that it's buying British luxury automakers Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion.

Resources

• Marketplace Tech Report®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories