Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Fact-checking yesterday's political rallies
  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin hosted a private fundraiser last night for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and the Minnesota Republican Party. Palin, the Republican nominee for vice-president in 2008, also attracted thousands to an afternoon campaign rally that featured several speakers.4:20 a.m.
• Tom Petters to be sentenced Thursday in St. Paul
  Last December, jurors convicted disgraced business tycoon Tom Petters of running a scam that bilked investors of more than $3.5 billion. Federal prosecutors argue Petters deserves life without parole. His lawyers say 4 years is plenty.6:20 a.m.
• Soldier from central Minnesota dies in Iraq
  An Army reservist from St. Cloud has died in Iraq a month after returning to the country for his second tour of duty.7:25 a.m.
• Police: Drunk, off-duty trooper crosses median, hits car
  Law enforcement officials say an off-duty Minnesota state trooper was intoxicated when he hit a car Tuesday night in Meeker County, Minn.7:35 a.m.
• Along the Mississippi, great blue herons make their nests
  On an island in the Mississippi River, a stand of cottonwood trees is silhouetted against a gray sky. The bare branches are festooned with big dark lumps, nests made of twigs and branches. Next to the nests, like sentinels at the castle gate, stand great blue herons.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Opposition In Kyrgyzstan Forms Interim Government
  Kyrgyzstan's opposition has taken over the government headquarters, the site of deadly clashes with police, and is in control of the government. The president has fled.
• Kyrgyz Unrest Brings Up Memories Of 2005
  The opposition seized Kyrgyz government headquarters following clashes between protesters and security forces in which 68 people were killed. Looting also was reported. Mariya Rasner, country director for Internews, a nonprofit organization that trains journalists, tells Steve Inskeep the clashes were similar to the so-called "Tulip Revolution" five years ago.
• Countries Try To Tame The Wild Territory Of The Net
  The networking that brought the world together could tear it apart, as countries vie for control of cyberspace. Internet experts say they're still waiting to see whether the Net will survive as an international commons or fall victim to global rivalries, espionage and cyberwarfare.
• Spotlight On Tiger Woods As Masters Begins
  The 2010 Masters Tournament, which gets under way Thursday in Augusta, Ga., will be remembered for Woods' comeback. The world's No. 1 golfer is returning to the sport after a sex scandal kept him off the tour for nearly 4 1/2 months.
• Rescue Teams Get Go-Ahead To Enter Mine
  Authorities say air quality is good enough to allow crews to search for four men missing in a West Virginia coal mine for more than two days since a blast killed 25 miners. Hopes are slim that anyone could still be alive.
• Critics Say Mine Safety Comes Second To Profits
  The Mine Safety and Health Administration is charged with ensuring that 125,000 U.S. miners work in a safe environment. In the past several months, inspectors repeatedly found problems with ventilation at the Upper Big Branch Mine. Bob Ferriter, an independent expert who trains new miners and mine managers, tells Renee Montagne that people often accuse companies of putting profits before mine safety.
• Big Airline Merger Could Be In The Works
  The CEOs of United Airlines and US Airways reportedly are talking again about joining forces. Both airlines have been shrinking to cope with the recession. If they merge, they would create the nation's second-largest air carrier.
• GM Posts $3.4 Billion 4Q Loss, Optimistic About 2010
  Nearly a year after filing for bankruptcy protection, General Motors says it continues to lose money. The company posted a $3.4 billion loss for the fourth quarter of last year. But company leaders say they're making progress on a turnaround, despite the dismal numbers.
• Geithner's China Visit May Narrow Currency Difference
  Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is in Beijing for talks about economic affairs. Thursday's visit is being interpreted as a sign that the U.S. and China are resolving their contentious dispute over China's currency and that Beijing might allow the yuan to rise against the dollar, as the U.S. has requested.
• 'Termite Gangs' Rob French Banks Using Tunnels
  Bank robbers known as termite gangs have tried to tunnel into Paris banks. At a branch of Credit Lyonnais, robbers were successful and cracked nearly 200 safety deposit boxes. Their attempt to hit BNP Paribas was unsuccessful and left them empty handed.

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