Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Study: Removing biomass from forests does no harm and prevents fires
  Biomass can be taken away from the woods without harming the forest and the soils that support it, the study says. But biomass harvesting is still not economical.4:49 p.m.
• McCain addresses voters' questions, blasts opponent
  At a forum in St. Paul Thursday night, presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain drew sharp contrasts between his Democratic opponent Barack Obama and himself.5:15 p.m.
• The ugly side of 'America the Beautiful'
  Film maker Darryl Roberts wanted to explore America's obsession with beauty. His documentary "American the Beautiful" became a scathing indictment.5:44 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Supreme Court Rules in Sanity Case
  The Supreme Court has ruled even if a criminal defendant is mentally competent to stand trial, he might not have the right to act as his own lawyer. The court ruled in the case of an Indianapolis man with schizophrenia who was convicted of attempted murder.
• Car Gas Mileage May Not Be All It Seems
  Even a small improvement in gas guzzlers saves more gas than a big improvement in already fuel-efficient cars. If cars were rated in gallons per mile instead of the other way around, people might get a better idea of how to save gas.
• Voices on the Economy
  Last week All Things Considered asked listeners how they're coping with the current economy — rising food and energy prices, the mortgage crisis, and so on. Today we hear some of what listeners had to say.
• Western Firms May Win No-Bid Contracts in Iraq
  Four large Western oil companies are close to securing no-bid oil contracts in Iraq. If the deals are confirmed, Exxon Mobil, Shell, Total and BP would return to operations in Iraq for the first time in 36 years. Melissa Block talks to New York Times journalist Andrew Kramer.
• Iraq Cracks Down on Militias in Amara
  Iraqi government forces moved into the southern city of Amara early Thursday. The city had been under the sway of Shiite militias. But most militia commanders appear to have fled Amara before Thursday's operation.
• Letters: War on Drugs, Salmonella
  Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listeners' e-mail. Listeners respond to our series about dirty money in the war on drugs, and our stories about the tomato salmonella outbreak.
• House, Senate Strike Deal on Eavesdropping
  House and Senate negotiators have a deal on a domestic eavesdropping bill that updates the Protect American Act and repairs holes in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The deal does not grant retroactive immunity.
• Nation's Levees May Need Overhaul
  Numerous levees have already failed to hold back floodwaters in parts of the Midwest this week. The federal government says many more are likely to be topped. Engineering experts agree the nation's levee system needs a second look. Adriene Hill of Chicago Public Radio reports.
• Officials Change Tune on Torture
  Many officials who condoned the torture of terrorist suspects immediately after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, are now changing their minds, as the threat of another attack becomes less likely.
• Skepticism as Israel, Hamas Cease-Fire Takes Effect
  A truce went into effect Thursday between Israeli forces and Hamas militants who control the Gaza Strip. The deal, mediated by Egypt, came after months of indirect talks. But people on both sides are already skeptical the deal will hold.
• Ahead of Vote, Zimbabwe Cracks Down
  Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe faces his greatest electoral challenge in runoff elections due to be held in 10 days. Human rights groups accuse his backers of attacking opposition supporters.
• Tiger's Injury Leaves Questions About Return
  Tiger Woods' dramatic win at the U.S. Open Monday continues to resonate this week. Now Woods is undergoing season-ending knee surgery — and the one athlete who can generate buzz in any workplace, bar or coffee shop is on the shelf.
• Obama Rejects Public Financing
  Democratic candidate Barack Obama announced Thursday he won't take part in the public-finance system for the presidential campaign. Obama becomes the first candidate in a general election to opt out of the primary system.
• Bear Stearns Execs Arrested
  Two former Bear Stearns hedge fund managers are in custody after being charged with concealing problems that eventually led to the collapse of the funds. The demise of the two funds helped trigger the broader credit crisis.
• How Birds Can Capture a Kid's Imagination
  Bill Thompson, the author of The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, says the trick to getting children interested in bird-watching is simply getting them outside. All they need is a guide, an ear and binoculars.

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