Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Movie "Thank You for Smoking" opens in the Twin Cities
  The film "Thank You for Smoking" opens in the Twin Cities as St. Paul's smoking ban takes effect. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr about the movie.6:25 a.m.
• Carleton College devotes a day to Katrina
  Seven months after Hurricane Katrina shredded the Gulf Coast and drowned the city of New Orleans, Carleton College in Northfield hopes to find a way to keep the public's attention trained on the disaster. Carleton cancelled classes Friday to devote time to reliving, discussing and studying Katrina.6:50 a.m.
• Climatologist Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley sums up the weather in Minnesota for the month of March.6:55 a.m.
• Blue Cross increases pay for psychiatrists
  Minnesota's largest health plan says it will increase payments to psychiatrists by 20 percent each of the next three years.7:20 a.m.
• Confusion about MVST ballot question fuels funding debate at Capitol
  Transportation advocates are worried they're confusing Minnesota voters with language they may face this November on the state's general election ballot.7:25 a.m.
• Has gay marriage changed Massachusetts?
  Gay couples in Massachusetts say allowing gay marriage in that state has strengthened their relationships. They say gay marriage has done little to change the lives of others. But opposition to the issue remains.7:50 a.m.
• Gov. Pawlenty to visit flood preparations
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty visits the Red River valley today to get a first-hand look at flood preparations. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio reporter Bob Reha.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Librarian's Picks: Saving the Best for First
  Sometimes authors' best works are their first. The tale of an imaginary universe where elevators are really important and the story of the first giraffe in Europe are among librarian Nancy Pearl's selections of must-read literary debuts.
• Retiring at 100, Full of Life's Lessons
  Last week, Arthur Winston reached two milestones. He turned 100 years old. And he retired from the job he held for more than 70 years. Winston had been maintaining buses at the L.A. Metropolitan Transit Authority. Asked why he stuck with the work, Winston's answer starts simply: "Well, I like my job."
• North American Leaders Talk Immigration, Trade
  President Bush is in Cancun wrapping up a summit with the leaders of Mexico and Canada. Immigration with Mexico and trade with Canada were the two issues that took up most of the president's time. Steve Inskeep talks with David Greene.
• Blacks, Latinos Discuss Differences in Los Angeles
  In Los Angeles, leaders of the black and Latino communities are talking about immigration, competition for jobs and how many traditionally black neighborhoods are now mostly Latino.
• Sudan Sued by Families for Sponsoring Terrorism
  Seventeen families representing USS Cole bombing victims are suing the government of Sudan in federal court. A federal judge in Norfolk, Va., has scheduled the case for trial. This lawsuit is one of many attempting to make it very expensive for countries to sponsor terrorism.
• 'Devil and Daniel Johnston' Indulges Singer's Fans
  A new documentary follows Indie singer-song writer Daniel Johnston's decline into mental illness. It combines standard documentary fare with Johnston's own recordings, taped over the course of 20 years. Los Angeles Times and Morning Edition critic Kenneth Turan reviews The Devil and Daniel Johnston.
• Election Leaves Likud's Netanyahu to Pick Up the Pieces
  Israel's parliamentary elections are now over and the Likud party didn't receive many votes, even though it has dominated Israeli politics for decades. Some people blame Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud party leader and Israel's finance minister. Others say he is the only hope for the party to survive.
• Italian Courts Consider Putting Berlusconi on Trial
  An Italian court is holding preliminary hearings to decide whether Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British lawyer David Mills should stand trial on corruption charges. Milan prosecutors have accused Berlusconi of paying Mills $600,000 for giving false testimony during two trials where Berlusconi was accused of corruption.
• Territorial Tensions Build Between Russia and Georgia
  Relations between Russia and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia have reached dangerous new lows. Georgian officials suspect that Russia wants to annex two areas of their republic. Observers say a worst-case scenario would involve a direct war between Russia and Georgia over the territory.
• Cooling Housing Market Means Changes for Buyers and Sellers
  Wall Street Journal columnist June Fletcher talks with Steve Inskeep about how the cooling housing market will affect home buyers and sellers. The combination of over-valued houses and rising interest rates means that houses are staying on the marker longer.

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