Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Tulips are up, but still no senator
  As Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik was planting his tulips last November, he wondered whether they would sprout before the battle between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman. They have.7:20 a.m.
• I-494 and U.S. 169 interchange up for possible rebuilding
  There's another big transportation stimulus controversy brewing. It's a push to rebuild the interchange at U.S. Highway 169 and I-494, one of the most congested in the Twin Cities.7:25 a.m.
• Arts and activism can make a volatile mixture
  Minneapolis' In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre is working on puppets for the 35th annual May Day Parade -- an example of how the arts group wears its liberal politics on its sleeve. That got art critic Dominic Papatola thinking about the connection between the arts and activism.8:25 a.m.
• Tree-eating bugs arrive on Minnesota border
  A species of invasive insect that has killed tens of millions of tress in the last decade has been spotted just a mile from Minnesota. Scientists in Wisconsin have confirmed that the emerald ash borer has spread to a town south of La Crosse, right on the border of southeastern Minnesota.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Cyber Scout Puts Autism Studies On Faster Track
  One of the big challenges for researchers studying autism is finding enough people to participate in studies. Recruiting can delay projects by months — even years. But a growing cyber network is putting families in touch with researchers and clearing the way to interesting discoveries.
• Diet Books: Fat On Profits, Skinny On Results?
  Diet books are perennials on best-seller lists, and every year a new one seems to capture the public's imagination. But the way to lose weight really always boils down to the same thing: Eat less and exercise more. So why do people shell out good money for diet books?
• A Mean Golf Swing, And An Uncle Named Tiger
  When the world thinks of golf, Tiger Woods usually comes to mind — but another Woods waits in the wings. Tiger's niece, Cheyenne, a freshman on the highly ranked Wake Forest University women's golf team, is likely to draw some attention of her own.
• Obama: Time To Phase Out Combat Role In Iraq
  President Obama, on a quick visit to Baghdad on Tuesday, told U.S. troops that it was time for Iraqis to "take responsibility for their country." He underscored his commitment to withdrawing most U.S. troops in the next year and a half.
• Political Rift In Iraq's Anbar Province
  In Iraq, the heartland of the Sunni insurgency remains remarkably peaceful. Sunni tribes helped U.S. forces pacify Anbar province in western Iraq, and the same tribes won the provincial elections this January. But a political rift has developed among America's tribal allies.
• Actor Kal Penn Trades 'House' For White House
  Kal Penn, known for his role as Kumar in the popular Harold and Kumar films, is now headed to the White House to be associate director of the Office of Public Liaison. The news follows his character's shocking demise on the Fox series House.
• Fujimori Gets 25 Years For Death Squad Killings
  A special tribunal in Peru has convicted the country's former President Alberto Fujimori of murder and kidnapping. He was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for death squad killings and kidnappings.
• Author Coll: Pakistan Aid Sends The Right Signal
  Journalist Steve Coll says the Obama administration's authorization of new development aid for Pakistan is a key shift that takes U.S. policy for both Pakistan and Afghanistan in the right direction.
• Treasury To Extend TARP Money To Life Insurers
  Many of the nation's biggest life insurance companies have been walloped by the credit crisis. Like other industries, they have turned to the government for bailout money. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Treasury Department has decided to extend bailout funds to a number of companies — including Prudential and Lincoln National. Insurance companies invest the premiums their customers pay in bonds and other assets that have lost much of their value.
• Dallas School Bus Runs On Vegetable Oil
  In Texas, the Dallas County school district has become one of the first in the country to figure out how to run a school bus on vegetable oil. The district hopes to convert all of its buses to this environmentally friendly fuel.

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