>> Berkley, California (April 1, 2005)
> 
>                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Has the date got to do something with the solution ?

The story is a fake; but the puzzle is not (I hope).

>> Scientists have built a machine that can change the value of pi
>> (the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter).
>>
>> "This machine is possible only with twenty first century physics,"
>> says prof Rich Gallbladderman, "we have already applied for several 
>> patents."
>>
>> Only one prototype machine is in existence, and although it cannot 
>> change the
>> value of Pi by a large amount, the theory says that making Pi equal to 
>> 3.0 is feasible.
>>
>> The Indianna House of Representatives has already sent a senator to 
>> Berkely
>> (he is coming via Las Vegas, so hasn't reached Berkely yet).
>>
>> So what is the puzzle? to design such a machine.
>>
>> Note: this is not a lateral thinking puzzle. The solution consists of 
>> impeccable physics.