Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Circle Pines a microcosm of the state's budget debate
  The northern Twin Cities suburb was once a traditionally Democratic blue area that's shifted to purple, and it helped the GOP take control of the Legislature in 2010.6:51 a.m.
• Dayton says GOP budget plan pulls savings 'out of thin air'
  He said the budget plan put forward by House Republicans is $1.2 billion out of balance and the Senate GOP plan is $1.1 billion out of whack. Dayton said his plan is based on solid fiscal analysis and the Republican plans aren't.7:21 a.m.
• Auto insurance changes make headway at the state Capitol
  The auto insurance industry wants to make it harder for accident victims to sue for pain and suffering damages. And they want to restrict payouts for less serious injuries like strains and sprains.7:25 a.m.
• Film fest bigger than ever -- and more Minnesotan
  The annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival launches Wednesday night, with more than 200 movies from all over the world -- including quite a few from our own backyard.7:44 a.m.
• Timberwolves likely to finish on the bottom. Again.
  The Minnesota Timberwolves play their final game of the season tonight at the Target Center against the Houston Rockets. A loss would guarantee that the Wolves will finish with the worst record in the NBA.8:24 a.m.
• Owatonna School District changes policies following federal investigation
  A 17-month federal investigation has found the Owatonna School District's policies, procedures and trainings were not adequately addressing harassment issues against Somali-American students.8:41 a.m.
• Obama challenges hospitals to dramatically cut mistakes, readmissions
  The Obama administration is calling on hospitals to dramatically cut the number of errors and preventable hospital readmissions by the end of 2013.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Rising Gas Prices Force Consumers To Make Choices
  In some parts of the country, the price at the gasoline pump has hit $4 a gallon. It's steep enough that it's changing consumers' buying habits. Economists are trying to figure out how much rising gas prices will hurt consumer confidence and consumer spending.
• Lawmakers Prepare To Vote On 2011 Budget Deal
  Details are coming out about what's in the fiscal 2011 budget deal reached last week between Democrats and Republicans. NPR reporters have the highlights.
• Somaliland Struggles In Effort To Fight Piracy
  Somaliland, a self-ruling part of Somalia, is desperately poor. It has only eight functioning coast guard vessels for its 500 miles of coastline, and most of its prisons are dreadful. Still, Somaliland is trying to rein in piracy, even though it's like fighting a stiff current.
• Livestock Farms Could Be Off Limits To Photos
  Animal rights activists have secretly filmed the inner workings of livestock farms, which has led to some bad press for the industry. Bills introduced in Florida and Iowa would make photographing animal operations without the owner's permission a felony. Supporters say that would help prevent activists from fraudulently being hired. Opponents argue the bills would prevent current employees from reporting abuse.
• Planned Parenthood: A Thorn In Abortion Foes' Sides
  The organization is the nation's largest single provider of abortions, yet it gets millions of dollars in federal funding with which to provide other services. Efforts over nearly three decades to change that have been unsuccessful — infuriating abortion opponents.
• Price Of Premature-Birth Drug Criticized
  Last week, we reported on a new progesterone gel that has been shown to reduce premature birth in some high risk pregnancies. An injectable version of the same hormone has now been thrust into the spotlight as well, as lawmakers, pharmacies and a drug company fight over how much it should — or shouldn't — cost.
• Key Japanese Airport Resumes Commercial Flights
  The Sendai Airport is the biggest along Japan's devastated northeast coast. It was badly damaged by the tsunami that piled cars, trees and even houses onto the runways. Japanese and American soldiers helped to clear the debris.
• Smartphones Helped To Kill The Flip Camera
  The super-simple Flip camera is dead. The company that produces it has decided to discontinue production. The Flip cam was a success, and spawned plenty of imitators. But Cisco says it's shutting down the unit because it wants to save money in its lagging consumer products division.
• Will Cotton Be King Again? Crop Gets Boost In Kansas
  With cotton prices rising to record highs thanks to a global shortage, U.S. cotton farmers are stepping up their acreage. In Kansas, a state long dominated by wheat and corn, it's the new crop on the block.
• Scouts Offer New Robotics Merit Badge
  The Boy Scouts of America unveiled a new merit badge Tuesday. Along with wilderness survival, archery and canoeing, Scouts can now earn a badge in robotics. To do so, they'll have to design a robot and demonstrate how it works.

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