Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Domestic abuse among elders remains a hidden problem
  We've heard of children and caregivers physically exploiting seniors, but it turns out that abuse between partners and spouses is also substantial--and a largely hidden problem.4:50 p.m.
• Franken takes oath of office, joins Senate
  Escorted by former Vice President Walter Mondale and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat Al Franken took the oath of office this morning on the floor of the U.S. Senate.5:20 p.m.
• Temporary gang strike force begins operation next week
  The new temporary strike force targeting gang activity in the Twin Cities will be up and running starting next Monday, July 13.5:24 p.m.
• Seifert announces candidacy for governor
  Former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert formally kicked off his campaign for governor this morning.5:49 p.m.
• A list of potential candidates for governor
  A dozen or more candidates from each major party have expressed interest, or been mentioned, as possible candidates for Minnesota governor in 2010.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• No End In Sight To California's IOUs
  California began sending IOUs last Thursday to some of its creditors as well as to taxpayers because of the state's $26.3 billion budget deficit. Reporter Carolyn Said of the San Francisco Chronicle says the situation is likely to continue until the governor and the legislature can fix the deficit.
• Obama Backs Helping Hand For Long-Term Care
  The Obama administration says it favors adding a new and potentially expensive program as part of a health care overhaul. It has sent a letter to Congress indicating support for a new program to help people pay for living in a nursing home, assisted living or getting care at home.
• States Eye Unused Gift Cards As Revenue Source
  Many states are going after unused gift cards as revenue, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Erica Alini, economics reporter for the newspaper, says about half the states have unclaimed property laws that can be applied to unused gift cards after 2-5 years.
• Fans, Family Bid Goodbye To Michael Jackson
  Twenty thousand fans with tickets said their final goodbyes Tuesday to pop icon Michael Jackson at a star-studded farewell at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Thousands more jammed the streets, hoping for a glimpse of the funeral motorcade.
• Jackson's Conflicted Legacy Examined
  For all the love pouring out for pop icon Michael Jackson, there are also those who feel conflicted about his legacy. Teresa Wiltz, a senior culture writer for The Root, says Jackson's artistry became eclipsed by his increasingly bizarre behavior.
• China Unrest Has Roots In History
  This week's deadly clashes in Xinjiang province between ethnic Uighurs and China's majority Han are rooted in tensions that go back more than two centuries, an expert on the Uighurs says. Sean Roberts, director of International Development Studies at George Washington University, says he is surprised tensions didn't boil over sooner.
• Sotomayor Seen As Moderate On Criminal Justice
  Analysts see Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a moderate whose decisions in criminal cases rarely differ from those of her colleagues on the federal bench. Some say her experience as a prosecutor and her record on the bench might make her more conservative than Justice David Souter on criminal justice issues.
• Costa Rican President To Mediate Honduran Crisis
  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced Tuesday that Costa Rican President Oscar Arias will soon begin a mediation effort in Honduras. Her announcement came after a meeting with deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.
• At Tour, Armstrong 1 Second Away From Lead
  Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong came within a second of the lead after his squad won Tuesday's team time trial in a dramatic finish. John Wilcockson, a reporter for Velo News and author of Lance, says Armstrong, who has come back from retirement to race in the Tour de France, is optimistic, but knows he has a difficult task ahead.
• Robot Mowers Take The Sweat Out Of Lawn Care
  In sweltering summer heat, mowing the lawn can become the most dreaded chore. But robotic lawnmowers may soon enough allow Americans to do the job without the labor.
• Letters: Idioms
  Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read listeners' comments about the story on idioms from around the world, and also reach back into our archives to play the 10-year old musical production Web Site Story.
• Rise Of Islamist Group Stokes Unease In West Bank
  In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, most people are familiar with the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. But in the past two years a third movement has been making appearances: Hizb ut Tahrir, a shadowy group that officially rejects violence but whose Islamist ideology makes Hamas' pale in comparison.
• Racial Tensions High After Riots In Western China
  Hundreds of majority Han Chinese — many of them armed — took to the streets in Urumqi, China, after ethnic violence between Han and ethnic minority Uighurs in the western Chinese city killed more than 150 people. The government has arrested more than 1,400 people and imposed a curfew.
• False Signals Cause Misleading Brain Scans
  Images that show brain activity in vivid bursts of color may not be as clear as people think. Scientists say false signals and flawed statistics often make the results of fMRI studies murkier than they appear.
• What Are Your Favorite Songs Of 2009 So Far?
  Just past the halfway point of 2009, we're already thinking about the best music of the year. All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen wants your picks, but in the meantime, he's selected his three favorite songs from The Low Anthem, Fanfarlo and Patrick Watson.

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