Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Divided court cites timing in unallotment decision
  Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Eric Magnuson called Pawlenty's action "unlawful and void." That was the decision's bottom line, but it was far from a clean, unanimous one.6:50 a.m.
• Ruling changes budget and politics at the Capitol
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers are faced with a budget deficit that has the potential to be a whole lot bigger today than it was yesterday. That's because the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the governor's unilateral unallotments of the state budget last July were an overreach of his executive authority.7:16 a.m.
• Ruling is blow to Pawlenty's political ambitions
  The Minnesota Supreme Court's decision to reverse some of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget cuts is a serious blow to his efforts to fix the state's sagging finances. The ruling may also have crimped his wider political ambitions.7:20 a.m.
• Nurses to picket three hospitals to protest thin ranks, pension cuts
  Minnesota nurses are planning to picket outside of three metro-area hospitals Thursday afternoon to demand that hospitals increase the number of nurses they have on staff to care for patients. They also will voice their displeasure over proposed cuts to their pension plan.7:36 a.m.
• 50 freshmen blaze a trail at U of M's Rochester campus
  Officials at the University of Minnesota-Rochester use words like "trailblazer" and "pragmatic" to describe 50 freshmen who are wrapping up the inaugural year as the school's first undergraduate class.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Despite Opposition, Germany Likely To Pass Bailout
  European leaders hoped the Greek bailout would calm financial markets but opposition just seems to get more intense. Three people died in demonstrations in Greece Wednesday. Meanwhile in Germany, the rescue is unpopular with voters and the main opposition party. Still the bailout is expected to go ahead -- most say Europe has no choice.
• Britons Go To Polls In Election With Historic Potential
  The election campaign in Britain has been one of the most exciting in decades. Opinion surveys show that it's still anybody's game, and the results could reshape the region's politics in landmark ways. One big issue is whether Thursday’s vote will end in what’s known as a hung Parliament, with no party gaining the majority.
• What Health Law Didn't Fix: Medicare Doctor Pay
  Just about everyone agrees the scheduled 21 percent pay cut to doctors would be a devastating blow to patient care. But without the cut, the federal deficit will balloon another $300 billion over the next decade.
• FDA Inspects Johnson & Johnson's Penn. Factory
  Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of a number of its products. An FDA inspection found poor quality control and contamination in the plant where the products are made.
• Ship Logs Help Scientists Trace Oceans' Warming
  Documenting changes in ocean temperatures over the past century is not an easy project. But scientists need these data to better understand global warming's effect on the oceans. One researcher at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been chasing down old maritime records -- saving them from being chewed on by mice, or demolished by mildew, leaky pipes, fires and flood.
• Obama Seeks To Woo Latinos With Immigration Push
  His comments at a Cinco de Mayo party Wednesday follow remarks last week that left the impression his commitment to the issue was faltering. Although it's a controversial topic to push in tough economic times, Democrats risk angering Hispanic voters if they don't.
• After Decades, The GOP Has A Shot At Murtha's Seat
  A special election will be held May 18 to fill the seat held by late Democratic Rep. John Murtha in Pennsylvania's 12th District. Murtha was a master of bringing federal dollars to his district. Mark Critz, a longtime aid to Murtha, is running against Republican businessman Tim Burns.
• House Takes Up 'Cash For Caulkers'
  Lawmakers in the House are scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill that would offer rebates to Americans who install new installation, window, heaters or other energy-efficient technology in their homes. It's a 2-year, $6 billion program.
• Financial Overhaul Goes Forward On Bipartisan Votes
  Senate leaders on the financial regulatory bill have reached a bipartisan agreement on an orderly way to liquidate failing banks. That clears the way for full debate on the measure. But senators still face disagreements over consumer protection and derivatives.
• Employers Add Jobs But It's Still Not Enough
  David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, cautions that Friday's unemployment numbers may be misleading. He tells Renee Montagne the new Labor Department numbers are expected to be better than last month's, but that long-term unemployment is still a serious problem.

Resources

• Marketplace Tech Report®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories