Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Spanish-speaking homeowners hit hard in foreclosure crisis
  Until now, there hasn't been much solid data on who in Minnesota has lost homes to foreclosure. A recent University of Minnesota study finds the majority of owner-occupied foreclosures in Minneapolis involved Spanish-speaking families.6:20 a.m.
• Commentator says spring is different for former farm kids
  April brings with it crocuses and jonquils and robins. But if you grew up on a Minnesota farm, and have since moved away, April brings mixed memories of corn planting season. Commentator Peter Smith explains.6:45 a.m.
• Judges declare Franken winner; Coleman to appeal
  A Minnesota court has confirmed that Democrat Al Franken won the most votes in his 2008 Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman.7:20 a.m.
• Clock is ticking for lawmakers
  Just five weeks remain in the 2009 legislative session, and deep disagreements remain over how to erase the state's $4.6 billion budget deficit.7:25 a.m.
• Pecha Kucha arrives in Minnesota
  A new kind of party designed to cause cross pollination of ideas, arrives in the Twin Cities this week. It's like a salon, but the pace is much quicker. The first challenge may be agreeing on how to pronounce the event's name.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Funding Debate Stalls Air Traffic Control Upgrade
  The radar system used to guide U.S. flights is more than 40 years old, but Congress and the airline industry are at odds over how to fund a new satellite-based system.
• 'Green Revolution' Trapping India's Farmers In Debt
  In the 1960s and '70s, farmers in the Indian state of Punjab changed from traditional methods to American-style farming. These intensive methods have dramatically boosted yields but depleted the region's groundwater and leached nutrients from the soil. As they try to compensate, farmers are sinking deep into debt.
• Why George Frideric Handel Still Matters
  April 14 marks the 250th anniversary of the composer's death. In honor of the occasion, two preeminent Handel musicians explain why the music remains as popular as ever with both performers and audiences.
• Ship's Commander Recounts Dramatic Rescue
  Frank Castellano, commanding officer of the USS Bainbridge, says one pirate's cooperation was an important step in a U.S. crew's rescue Sunday of Capt. Richard Phillips. Castellano discusses the rescue with NPR's Renee Montagne.
• France Takes An Aggressive Stance Against Pirates
  French commandos last week stormed a boat being held captive off the coast of Somali. France has taken a leading role in international efforts to halt hijackings off the Horn of Africa and has captured more than 60 pirates in the past year.
• Portuguese Water Dog May Leap In Popularity
  Bo, the Portuguese water dog, makes its official public debut as the new White House pet. The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America says the new pup could cause a run on the breed.
• Spector Verdict The End Of A Psychic Free Fall
  Six years after the death of actress Lana Clarkson, and nearly two years after a 2007 mistrial, a jury found music producer Phil Spector guilty of second-degree murder Monday. Spector, 68, will be sentenced May 29, and faces a prison sentence of 18 years to life.
• India's First Family Split By Rivalries
  One family runs India's Congress Party. The party heads the coalition government and is battling to stay in power. Voting begins this week in India's general election, so the family is going around the country campaigning. But there's a family feud.
• Pakistan Approves Strict Law In Swat Valley
  In what looks like a concession to the Taliban, Pakistan's president has signed a controversial measure that makes Islamic law the official legal system in the restive Swat Valley.
• Chinese Bank World's Largest Lender
  The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China already was the world's biggest bank by market capitalization. It is now the biggest bank by deposits as well. The Financial Times says it shows how Chinese banks have emerged relatively unscathed from the global crisis.

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