Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• House takes up farm bill
  While this fall's elections are expected to dominate the Congressional agenda, some lawmakers still hope to pass a farm bill to reauthorize agriculture and food stamp programs. But this may be a make or break week for those efforts.4:50 p.m.
• Into the Song: Now Now picks apart 'Thread'
  The Twin Cities' indie pop trio Now Now will visit the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis tonight as part of the band's national tour in support of its latest album "Threads."4:54 p.m.
• Opponents pummel Sec. of State Ritchie over amendment titles
  What's in a name? Well, it may be the difference between winning and losing, according to supporters and opponents of two referenda heading for the ballot in November.5:20 p.m.
• Amy Senser sentenced to 41 months in prison
  Senser, the wife of former Minnesota Viking Joe Senser, was convicted in May of two felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide.5:24 p.m.
• Parise, Suter give Wild a boost already
  The Minnesota Wild introduced their new star players, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, on Monday, five days after the team signed the two to long-term contracts. In less than a week, the team has sold 2,000 new season tickets. Wild officials hope the two can also help bring a Stanley Cup to Minnesota.5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• As Mine Protections Fail, Black Lung Cases Surge
  An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity found federal regulators and the mining industry are failing to protect miners from the excessive toxic coal mine dust that causes black lung. The disease is now being diagnosed in younger miners and evolving more quickly to complicated stages.
• Pitcher R.A. Dickey's Tale Is As Wild As A Knuckleball
  The 37-year-old New York Met makes his All-Star Game debut on Tuesday, and it's been a long, strange trip. Abused as a child, missing a crucial ligament in his throwing arm — Dickey overcame obstacles by putting his faith in a rare and fluttering pitch.
• Alan Cheuse Reviews 'The Colonel'
  Mahmoud Dowlatabadi's new novel, The Colonel, tells the story of an Iranian military figure whose personal life demonstrates the strains in the social and political order of his native land.
• Swing State TV Stations Spiking Ad Rates As Campaign Cash Pours In
  Someone once said that owning a TV station is a license to print money. Now, that was before the advent of cable TV and computer screens and streaming video. But these are clearly good times for some stations, especially the ones in presidential battleground states.
• Texas Rejects Medicaid Expansion In Health Law
  Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced that he opposes the expansion of Medicaid as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the creation of state insurance exchanges. Melissa Block talks to Emily Ramshaw, editor at the Texas Tribune, for more on what Perry's announcement means for Texas.
• Scranton, Pa., City Workers Hit With Pay Cut
  In Scranton, Pa., city workers are fuming about their sudden pay decrease. The city's mayor says there isn't enough money to pay employees their regular wages. So, the most recent paychecks reflected minimum wage — no matter what workers' previous salaries had been.
• Turmoil In African Nation Of Mali Continues
  Melissa Block speaks with Jennifer Cooke, director of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, about the deteriorating situation in Mali. Islamic militants in recent days have destroyed sacred tombs in the ancient city of Timbuktu. A military coup there in March created a power vacuum, allowing the rebel and Islamist groups to take over the northern part of the country. West African leaders this past weekend urged Mali's interim government to request outside military assistance.
• Brits Battle For Cheesy Glory By Writing National Anthem For Cheddar
  The British Cheese Board is looking for a national anthem for cheddar cheese. They've narrowed down the field of its competition to five cheesy songs, and now they need your help.
• Obama Calls For Tax Cut Extension For Middle Class
  President Obama has called on Congress to extend tax cuts for the middle class, while allowing rates for the wealthiest Americans to go up.
• Texas Defends Voter ID Law
  A federal panel on Monday began hearing a lawsuit by the state of Texas against the U.S. Department of Justice, to allow the state's new voter ID law to go into effect. The Justice Department has blocked the law, arguing that it violates the Voting Rights Act by disproportionately harming Hispanic voters, who are less likely to have the required photo ID. Melissa Block speaks to NPR's Pam Fessler.

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