Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Farm bill faces austere future
  Farmers may face some uncertainty by harvest time as Congress grapples with rewriting the farm bill before it expires in September. On the table are big cuts in federal farm spending.5:35 a.m.
• Twin Cities housing market heating up
  After several years of bad news, the housing market is showing signs of rebounding. Although home prices continue to decline, the pace at which they decline is slowing.6:40 a.m.
• Should journalists sign petitions?
  Cathy Wurzer talks with University of Minnesota professor Jane Kirtley about the ethics of Wisconsin journalists signing recall petitions.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Syrian Demand Derails Scheduled Ceasefire
  An agreed cease-fire to end months of bloodshed in Syria, was set to take effect Tuesday. But last-minute demands by the Syrian government have effectively derailed a U.N.-brokered peace plan.
• Defectors Offer Insider's View Of Syrian Army
  Soldiers who have defected say the army is committing unspeakable atrocities. But rather than join the rebels, who they say are fighting back with their own brutality, they've escaped to a camp in Iraqi Kurdistan.
• For-Profit Schools Under Fire For Targeting Veterans
  Veterans, with their post-Sept. 11 education benefits, have been an important driver in the growth of for-profit colleges and universities in recent years. Some lawmakers say for-profit schools are ripping off veterans, and the government, by luring students into programs that seldom lead to good jobs.
• New Jersey Law Causes Companies To Pull Gift Cards
  American Express and two other companies say they're pulling gift cards off store shelves in New Jersey because of a law requiring merchants to collect zip codes from card buyers. Retailers have sued to block the law, which allows the state to take control of unused balances after two years.
• 3-0 Mets Surprise New York Baseball Fans
  The first weekend of the Major League Baseball season is over, and already there are some early surprises. In New York, the Mets are 3-0, while the Yankees are 0-3.
• Study Warns Of Autism Risk For Children Of Obese Mothers
  Half of the mothers in the study had a child with an autism spectrum disorder, while the rest had a child with a developmental delay unrelated to autism, or no developmental problem. But an author of the study says it's not clear whether there's any connection between rising obesity rates and the increasing number of children diagnosed with autism.
• Wider Use Of Breast Cancer Radiation Technique Raises Concern
  The use of brachytherapy is gaining popularity, but some medical experts worry that not enough research has been done to make sure it works as well as the traditional approach to radiation.
• AT&T, Union Extend Contract Negotiations
  The contract extension has prevented a mass walkout by some 40,000 unionized workers. The deadline for a new contract was Sunday. AT&T is seeking concessions from its workers — including cuts in pension contributions, and an increase in health care premiums. The union is calling these concessions "unrealistic."
• What Do You Owe In Taxes? Depends Who's Counting
  If you're wondering if you're better off filing your income taxes through an online tax preparation service, a standard certified public accountant, or a more elaborate tax specialty firm, you may want to read an article called "Joel Stein Has Four Accountants."
• 'Painter Of Light' Thomas Kinkade Dies At 54
  The artist was known for scenes of cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light. Kinkade repeatedly claimed to be the most collected living artist.

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