Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Dayton hopes 'tax the rich' policy will bring him through primary
  DFL candidate and former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is hoping his 'tax the rich' message will set him apart from his rivals and propel him to the governor's office.6:20 a.m.
• A history of theater in Minnesota
  Cathy Wurzer and historian Annette Atkins discuss theater's long history in Minnesota.6:55 a.m.
• Foundation: Child poverty on the rise in Minn.
  Child poverty in Minnesota has increased 23 percent in the past decade, according to new figures from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and advocates say the depth of poverty is increasing as well.7:20 a.m.
• For now, jobless benefits still won't last past 86 weeks
  The latest extension of federal emergency unemployment benefits may have come as a relief to some Minnesotans who have been jobless for a long time. But the new extension has led to a lot of confusion, with many unemployed unsure about how long checks will keep coming.7:25 a.m.
• All the news from Northwestern Minnesota
  The DNR sues a Minnesota township over housing construction too close to a lakeshore, a $360,000 training facility is being built for power line workers near Baudette, and Moorhead becomes one of about 50 Minnesota communities with ordinances punishing those who host parties knowing that underage drinking occurs. Reporter Dan Gunderson talks with host, Cathy Wurzer.8:35 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Obama Makes Economic Sales Pitch; Who's Buying?
  The president has been traveling the country to talk about the economy, but it's far from clear the tour is helping his cause. While the White House says it's not about boosting Obama's approval ratings, critics say the president, like yesterday's rock star, has been touring too long.
• GOP Seeks Clear Voter Message Amid Clamor
  Congressional Republicans are riding a wave of voter discontent, but deciding on a unified agenda to attract independent voters is still no easy task. Some are using social media tactics such as crowdsourcing in a bid to learn what voters really want.
• Marsh Cleanup Bid May Hurt More Than Help
  The furious effort to cleanse Gulf Coast marshes of oil leaking from the BP well blowout has some crews using techniques that might do permanent damage to the fragile wetlands, according to an NOAA contractor who is a veteran of 30 oil spills.
• In Afghanistan, No Shortage Of Suicide Bombers
  U.S.-led forces say they are taking the fight to the Taliban. The insurgents, meanwhile, have launched audacious attacks in the country. Both sides believe they are winning the war.
• Impact Of Childhood Obesity Goes Beyond Health
  Adults who have been overweight since high school risk a lifetime of disease, discrimination and poverty. A new study of obese 40-year-olds found those who were overweight teens were three times more likely to suffer chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. They were also much more likely to be unemployed or receiving welfare.
• Cheerleading A Sport? You'll Know It When You See It
  A judge has ruled that cheerleading is not a real sport, defeating a college's attempt to get around Title IX rules for female participation in sports. But what about the 64,000 high school girls who are on competitive "spirit squads" -- are they not athletes?
• Tina Brown's Must-Reads: The Lives Of Others
  The Daily Beast editor chats with Renee Montagne about the best things she's been reading lately. The focus this month: the perils and pleasures of the personal chronicle, whether it's on the Internet, in a diary, or in a juicy tell-all memoir.
• Blagojevich Fate Rests With Jury
  Jurors begin their deliberations Wednesday in the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In closing arguments, prosecutors said Blagojevich was only interested in enriching himself during his time in office. But his defense attorney called the government's case a total distortion.
• States Tackle Immigration Legislation
  Arizona's immigration law has gotten a lot of flack, but some analysts say other states are considering measures as well. Anne Morse, policy analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures, offers her insight.
• Beijing Lays Out Ambitious High-Speed Rail Plan
  China is aiming to raise nearly $120 billion to develop its high-speed rail system. The transport minister said Wednesday Beijing wants to build more than 3,500 miles of high-speed lines in the next two years.

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