Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Debt ceiling failure would have huge impact on Minn. budget
  Minnesota would lose hundreds of millions of federal dollars to pay for wide spectrum of services -- overnight -- if Congress and the president can't agree to raise the nation's debt ceiling by the Aug. 2 deadline.5:20 p.m.
• Minn. budget deal doesn't sit well with lay political watchers
  Some Democrats are upset that DFL Gov. Mark Dayton gave up his push for higher taxes on the state's wealthiest residents, while some Republicans wanted deeper cuts in state spending.5:23 p.m.
• The Dinner Party Download featuring Errol Morris
  Author Ransom Riggs tells a joke, monkey (photography) business, and guest of honor Errol Morris.6:18 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• What's The State Of Play In The Debt Ceiling Talks?
  The Senate Friday tabled the House's best shot at a debt reduction plan, the "Cut, Cap and Balance" bill conservative Republicans passed earlier in the week. But negotiators still seem far from a deal on the Senate plan, and President Obama continues to parley with Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
• Week In Politics: Debt Ceiling; Deficit
  Michele Norris speaks with our regular political commentators, E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings Institution, and David Brooks of the New York Times.
• Painter Lucian Freud Dies At 88
  Lucian Freud, grandson of Sigmund, also explored the human psyche — through human physicality. His paintings were never called "nudes" — that's too polite. His subjects were "naked" — both physically and emotionally. His work divided critics and made him one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
• Summer Heat Puts Stress On New England Power Grid
  As temperatures continue to rise throughout the East, so does the demand for power — and New England's elderly infrastructure could face overloads. But utility operators say they are taking precautions to ensure a steady power supply.
• Are The Modest Sales Of Electric Cars Encouraging?
  Robert Siegel talks to Jerry Hirsch, who reports on the automotive industry for the Los Angeles Times, about how sales of the Volt and the Leaf have been doing in 2011. Both GM and Nissan say they are on target to sell 10,000 units this year. To date, Nissan has sold 4,134 Leafs, which outpaces the GM's numbers: GM has sold 2745 Volts.
• Born In The USA? This Blanket Might Look Familiar
  Medline makes the white flannel blanket with pink and blue stripes used in hospital delivery rooms across the country. The company has produced close to 25 million of the blankets since 1980 alone.
• Want To Be A Macho, Macho Man? Be A Daddy
  Some new fathers may fear the loss of manhood when their first baby comes along. Author Po Bronson had similar doubts. But he soon realized that it wasn't until the birth of his son that his journey into adulthood really started.
• States, Cities Reject Federal Deportation Program
  Secure Communities was created to help federal authorities deport illegal immigrants who are hardened criminals. But some say immigrants are being deported on minor charges. Illinois, New York, Massachusetts and Los Angeles want to opt out.
• Obama Holds Town Hall At University Of Maryland
  President Obama held a town hall at the University of Maryland in College Park. There, he pushed for a balanced deficit reduction plan.
• Could 'Mood Music' Calm Political Tensions?
  Musician David Was has an idea to calm tensions in Washington, D.C. Though it's sometimes dismissed as elevator music, "Mood Music" of the 1950s could be just the thing, he thinks.

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