Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Putting the spotlight on Dylan's roots in Minnesota
  On Tuesday, Bob Dylan turns 70-years-old. In honor of that occasion, we'll be featuring some special programming this weekend. He was born in Duluth, grew up in Hibbing, and became a folksinger in Minneapolis. MPR Producer Jim Bickal made a new documentary about Dylan's years in Minnesota and talked to people who knew and influenced Dylan in those formative years. This excerpt begins with the memories of Nancy Peterson, who went to Hibbing High School with Dylan. She was in the audience when he played the piano in a rock-and-roll band that performed in the high school auditorium.6:50 a.m.
• Better weather helps Minnesota farmers
  MPR's Cathy Wurzer talks with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley who spoke about the stretch of good weather this week. He also explained why he appears in a new MPR documentary about Bob Dylan's years in Minnesota.6:55 a.m.
• Some Republicans question same-sex marriage vote before budget is done
  The Minnesota House could take up a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage as early as Friday. Republicans appear to have enough votes to pass the measure, but some of their members are urging leaders to hold off because they don't believe it's the right time to take up the issue.7:20 a.m.
• Around the lift bridge, views diverge on marriage amendment
  Same-sex marriage is one of those issues that inspires strong feelings and moral arguments on both sides. You can hear tge range of opinions from the people out enjoying the weather around the Stillwater's iconic lift bridge.7:25 a.m.
• Why are the Red Bulls already going overseas again?
  The Red Bulls served the longest combat tour of any unit in the Iraq War - and now it's their turn again. For about 40 percent of these soldiers, the deployment means yet another long separation from loved ones.7:40 a.m.
• Walker exhibit explores voyeurism as art
  Nowadays it seems cameras are everywhere and many people complain privacy is fast becoming a thing of the past. However a new exhibit at the Walker Art Center shows photographic invasions began not long after the invention of the camera itself.7:45 a.m.
• Mayors of state's largest cities warn against LGA cuts
  Republicans say the effort is needed to balance the state's budget deficit. But critics say it's a politically charged move aimed at crippling urban centers -- which are largely governed by Democrats.8:25 a.m.
• Governor, Legislature headed for collision over the environment
  Dayton promises to veto bill that would cut funding for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources.8:40 a.m.
• Internet plays a role in End of Days talk
  Tomorrow's the day Harold Camping, a Christian radio broadcaster, predicts Christ will return to earth and Judgement Day will commence. Camping and his followers have been publicizing that theory on billboards around the country. Of course, there's a lot of discussion on the Internet about the End of the World as we know it.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Mine Report Faults Massey, Federal Regulators
  There's little reaction so far from coal mine owner Massey Energy following a scathing report about last year's deadly explosion in one of its West Virginia mines. Twenty-nine workers died at the Upper Big Branch mine. Independent investigators say both the company and federal regulators share blame.
• Miss. Farm 'Looks Like A 12,000 Acre Lake'
  John Michael Pillow, a farmer in Yazoo City, Miss., talks to Renee Montagne about the flooding along the Mississippi River. Most of his farm is submerged under 10 feet of water.
• Young Adults Can Keep It Simple: Start Saving
  For many 20-somethings, financial independence marks their arrival at adulthood. But it can be a hard place to get to if you're also shouldering a lot of debt.
• Fresh From Service, Vets Face Daunting Job Market
  In the current economy, veterans younger than 30 are having an especially difficult time marketing their military skills to potential employers. One former staff sergeant, after getting no offers, says he felt like he'd been demoted to a "private" in the civilian world.
• Controversy, Silent Film And 'Midnight' At Cannes
  The 64th Cannes Film Festival draws to a close this weekend, and critic Kenneth Turan has been in the South of France taking in the films, the sights ... and the controversy. Turan joins NPR's Renee Montagne for a festival wrap-up.
• Gingrich Backpedals On Medicare Comments In Iowa
  Newt Gingrich's run for president has had a rocky start, and he has been engaged in damage control all week. On Sunday, the former House speaker infuriated fellow Republicans when he called House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's plan for revamping Medicare "radical."
• Psst! The Human Brain Is Wired For Gossip
  Learning negative information about people can change the way you see them — literally, according to a new study. It's an unconscious response orchestrated by your brain's visual processing system, and it may have helped early humans exploit gossip to get ahead.
• Surging Production Costs Hurt Gap Profits
  The country's largest clothing chain came out with a gloomy warning Thursday. Gap slashed its yearly profit forecast by more than 22 percent and its shares tumbled. Gap's profits are being hit by surging production costs. Cotton prices have been rising and so have wages for workers in China, and other parts of Asia, where Gap manufactures its clothing.
• Tackling Inflation Is China's Top Priority
  There is growing concern about inflation in China. Last month, overall inflation was up 5.3 percent compared to the year before. Food prices were up 11.5 percent. Chinese consumers are angry, and the government fears that could lead to social instability.
• China's Inflation Problem Impacts U.S. Consumers
  As costs go up in China, they charge more for products and that means Americans pay more. Over the past 12 months, prices of things the U.S. imported from China, are up 2.8 percent. But five years ago, the price of Chinese imports were actually falling. David Wessell, of The Wall Street Journal, talks to Renee Montagne about China's inflation.

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