Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Rural areas battle electronic waste
  State officials say a 2007 law requiring electronics manufacturers to pay for e-waste recycling has reduced the illegal dumping of electronics in rural Minnesota.4:50 p.m.
• Percussion in the spotlight
  Percussionists have a vital, but under-appreciated role in symphonic music. Over the next three weeks they're being showcased in the Crash! Bang! Boom! Festival.4:54 p.m.
• Lawyers target bridge consultant
  Attorneys representing victims of the 35W bridge collapse say that a new state report is giving them addition ammunition against a company MnDOT hired five years ago to analyze the bridge.5:20 p.m.
• High gas prices pumping up small-car sales ... somewhat
  As gas prices flirt with $4 a gallon, Minnesotans, like most Americans, are showing more affection for fuel-efficient vehicles and are buying far fewer trucks, SUVs and vans.5:24 p.m.
• Minnesota's historic bridges: preserve them or replace them?
  A new book tells the story of more than 200 of historic bridges in Minnesota. Some still stand, others were replaced. The I-35W bridge is one of only two in the book that actually collapsed.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• NOAA Hedges Bets on Hurricane Forecast
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the 2008 "hurricane season" may be above normal in terms of the number and strength of named storms. But more than in the past, the agency is acknowledging that precise estimates are difficult.
• Author Mo Willems on 'Elephant and Piggie'
  Author and illustrator Mo Willems, a former animator for Sesame Street, has published two new books from his award-winning "Elephant and Piggie" series. He discusses his work with Michele Norris.
• Court Rejects Custody Ruling in Polygamy Case
  A Texas appeals court overturns a lower court ruling that placed more than 400 children from a polygamist ranch in state custody. It's unclear if state authorities will appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.
• 'Oakland Tribune' Maps Murder Victims
  The Web site of The Oakland Tribune offers a detailed, interactive map of the city showing the locations of homicides and names and photos of the victims. Tribune editor Martin Reynolds talks about the project.
• Can Obama Woo Clinton's Blue-Collar Base?
  Sen. Barack Obama needs to woo white, working-class voters before the general election in November. In exit polls, many voters who supported Sen. Hillary Clinton say if Obama is the nominee, they plan to vote for Republican Sen. John McCain.
• McCain Rejects Backing of Controversial Preacher
  Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain rejects the endorsement of Texas preacher John Hagee following revelations that the preacher made disparaging remarks about Jews.
• Congress Faces Glitch with Farm Bill
  A day after overriding President Bush's veto of a massive farm bill, Congress finds it has work left to do. Lawmakers have learned an entire section of the bill was missing from the official document sent to the president.
• Counterfeit Drug Cases on the Rise
  Officials attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva are told that 2007 showed a sharp increase in incidents of counterfeit medications. Greater access to sophisticated technology is helping drive the rise in sales of fake drugs.
• Pat Schroeder Reviews the Clinton Campaign
  Pat Schroeder, the onetime Colorado congresswoman and presidential hopeful, revisits questions about Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign for the White House. More than a year ago, Schroeder talked to All Things Considered about whether the nation is yet ready for a woman president.
• Petraeus Hints at Deeper Iraq Troop Pullout
  Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, says he will likely recommend more withdrawals of U.S. troops before he leaves his post in September. Petraeus made the remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
• Defying Bush, Senate Bolsters War Funds Bill
  The Senate votes to approve a war funding bill for Iraq and Afghanistan that would add extended unemployment benefits and expand the GI Bill for returning veterans. President Bush has threatened to veto any measure with the added spending, but there may be enough GOP support in Congress to override a veto.
• Iran Seizes a Diplomatic Opportunity
  Iran has sent U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon a sweeping proposal for a peaceful settlement of major disputes. President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad appears to have spotted an opportunity to upstage the U.S., where leaders are bogged down in campaign rhetoric.
• McCain, Obama Said to Ponder VP Choices
  Looking forward to a fall campaign, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama are quietly considering potential running mates. Ron Klain, who helped vet VP candidates for Al Gore in 2000, offers insight into the secretive process.
• Quake Further Endangers China's Giant Pandas
  Found only in China, the giant panda is threatened by extinction, and researchers in southwestern China have devoted themselves to saving the species. The May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province has exacerbated the challenges facing the already fragile population.
• Doctors Provide Care Despite Obstacles in China
  In China's earthquake-damaged Sichuan province, 39,000 medical personnel are now working to provide care, according to provincial authorities. Chinese emergency medical workers have been able to cope with the rush of injured people.

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