Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Presidential candidates try to appeal across party lines
  The campaigns for president are shifting from attracting their core base of supporters and are focusing on swing voters.5:20 p.m.
• When bridge-building becomes art
  Painter Scott Lloyd Anderson says he couldn't bear to go and look at the collapsed 35W bridge. It was just too tragic. Nowadays though, he's over at the construction site regularly, painting pictures of the new bridge.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Inflation Reasserts Itself in Economic Plans
  Inflation is picking up around the world, the result of fast-rising prices for energy, food and other commodities. In the United States, the Federal Reserve is finished slashing rates to stimulate growth; now it will try to control inflation. Look for higher rates here and in other countries.
• Obama Seen Besting McCain in Church Outreach
  On Tuesday, Democrat Barack Obama met with a group of Christian leaders to discuss his outreach in their communities. Michele Norris talks with David Brody, senior national correspondent for the Christian Broadcasting Network. Brody says Obama is far outpacing his GOP rival, Sen. John McCain, when it comes to that effort.
• Jobless Benefit Extension Blocked by House Vote
  The House Wednesday rejected a temporary extension of jobless benefits, a measure that was widely expected to pass with a veto-proof majority. The final vote was 279 to 144.
• Bush Meets with Indifference on Rome Visit
  President Bush might have expected a hostile reception when he arrived in Italy today. Previously, tens of thousands protested his visits, but only about 2,000 opposed Bush's visit to the Italian capital today. Most Romans were either indifferent, or angry about the restrictive security measures.
• Blood Donation Rules Roil California Campuses
  Since the early days of the AIDS crisis, federal policy has banned gay men from giving blood. Gay activists say the policy is outdated, discriminatory and needs to be stopped. Campuses in Northern California are taking two very different tacks to wage their protests.
• Adventures a Father Doesn't Wish on a Son
  Commentator Jon Miller did a lot of dumb things when he was young. And he hopes his son has the same sorts of adventures he had when he was his age. Of course, another part of him hopes he doesn't act like such an idiot. He tells us a story about a chainsaw, an out of control boat and a lake rescue.
• Program Treats Addicts in Health Care
  Statistics show that health care workers become addicted and depressed at the same rates as the general population. However, there is no leeway for impairment when it comes to patient safety. Washington state is one of 48 states that have confidential programs aimed at helping addicted health workers get into treatment.
• Letters: India Cows; Obama and the Economy
  Michelle Norris reads listeners' letters including a correction to Robert Krulwich's story on India, plastic bags and cows. She also reads some comments about her interview with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
• Pakistan Blames U.S. for Deadly Rocket Attack
  Pakistan has blamed the death of 11 of its troops on a U.S.-led coalition attack on the border with Afghanistan. It called the strike cowardly and unprovoked. The U.S. military says rockets were fired from Afghanistan into Pakistan, after allied troops came under attack.
• Trees Do Their Best Work with Thermostats at 70
  Scientists have uncovered a jaw-dropping fact: Trees around the world employ a range of tricks to keep their leaf temperature at 70 degrees when they soak up the sun and produce wood and sugar. It's as true for a tree growing in the tropics as for a tree in the frigid North.
• Iowa Towns Forced to Evacuate by Flooding
  High water is spreading misery in several Midwestern states. Residents of many towns are being urged to evacuate. Mayor Tim Hurley of Waterloo, Iowa, speaks to Michele Norris about evacuating the downtown area as waters rise on the Cedar River.
• Computerized Patient Records Program Starts
  Medicare has just launched a pilot program to get doctors to computerize their offices. Officials say electronic health records will cure many of the ills of modern medical care, but some doctors are concerned about the loss of privacy for patients, and the cost of computerization.
• Key Obama Figure Resigns; Loan Case Cited
  Jim Johnson, the head of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's vice presidential search team, has resigned. In a statement, Obama's campaign says Johnson quit to avoid "distraction" from the process. Johnson, the former head of mortgage giant Fannie Mae, has been embroiled in controversy over questionable loans.
• The Slants: Trading in Stereotypes
  After breakthrough shows at anime conventions, The Slants' members have found a devoted audience of media-savvy teenagers. With a mostly Asian lineup, the band challenges and pokes fun at the stereotypes of Asian-American identity.
• A Day in the Life of Independent Political Ads
  Under the radar, outside groups are already working to influence the presidential election and congressional races. On June 1, for example, at least eight independent advertisers bought 161 ad slots. And it's not even November yet.

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