Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Drought damages corn crop
  Corn farmers dealing with drought may have another problem, low prices. Corn prices have declined in recent weeks because traders believe there's enough grain on hand to meet demand.5:17 p.m.
• Christmas in July
  The recent heat and lack of rain is taking a toll on Minnesota's Christmas tree farms.5:22 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Does Hezbollah Stand for Arab Pride?
  Commentator Adeed Dawisha is a Iraqi-American and a political analyst. He's been keeping a close eye on the war between Hezbollah and Israel. And one of its ramifications, he says, is that each day Hezbollah stays in the fight, there is a growing sense of satisfaction among Arabs. Dawisha is the author of Arab Nationalism in the Twentieth Century: From Triumph to Despair.
• IBM Office Accused of Hacking Law Firm
  A federal judge is considering whether a lawsuit can go ahead in which a law firm claims that IBM and an employee in its Durham, N.C., facility tried to hack into the law firm's e-mail system. The complaint alleges that more than 42,000 attempts were made to enter the firm's system.
• In Move to Equip Iraqi Force, Questions Linger
  Appearing with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki earlier this week, President Bush vowed to provide more equipment to Iraq's security forces. There are no specifics yet, but defense analysts say the forces are woefully under-equipped -- and the cost is estimated at $5 billion.
• Mexican Court Set to Review Election Dispute
  Magistrates on Mexico's Federal Electoral Tribunal are set to study records and complaints related to the country's disputed presidential election, in which conservative Felipe Calderon edged leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador by less than 0.6 percent of the vote.
• Aryan Brotherhood Leaders Convicted of Murder
  Four leaders of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang are convicted on charges of murder, conspiracy and racketeering. The verdict, delivered in a In Santa Ana, Calif., courtroom, was hailed as a victory for federal prosecutors trying to curb the gang's violent and racist activities.
• Awaiting Test Results, Landis Fears for Reputation
  Floyd Landis faces the loss of his Tour de France title if doping suspicions prove to be accurate. But as Landis awaits the results of a second test, he is worried that his reputation will still suffer, even if the results exonerate him. NPR's Michele Norris talks with Landis, who is currently in Spain.
• Elderly Driver Faces Trial for 2003 Deaths
  Three years ago this month, an elderly man with health problems lost control of his car and tore a deadly path through the Santa Monica Farmers' Market. Ten people were killed, 60 others were injured. The 89-year-old driver finally is about to face trial on 10 felony counts of vehicular manslaughter.
• Death Toll Rises in California's Heat Wave
  The death toll in California's heat wave continues to rise. Officials have linked over 130 deaths to the record-breaking temperatures. Michele Norris talks with Tamara Keith from member station KPCC.
• Leavitt Charity's $500,000 Returns, in the Form of Rent
  Part of the funds distributed by a Utah foundation established by Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and his family is used to pay the rent for students living in Leavitt-owned apartments. The foundation is under fire for giving away little money -- but securing substantial tax advantages for Leavitt's family.
• Dika Newlin, a Fan of Piano and Punk
  Robert Siegel talks with Clarke Bustard, retired music critic at the Richmond Times Dispatch, about the death of musician Dika Newlin. Newlin was a Schoenberg-trained composer and professor who developed a propensity for punk rock later in life.
• Testosterone Scenarios in Athletics
  Robert Siegel talks to Dr. Gary Wadler, a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods Committee. In light of the doping allegations leveled against Tour de France winner Floyd Landis, Wadler explains the role testosterone and epitestosterone play in sports -- and how the levels fluctuate.
• U.S. General: Iraqi Security Forces Infiltrated
  Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, head of training for Iraqi security forces, acknowledges the country's police and army have been infiltrated by sectarian militias -- and some are taking part in "extra-judicial killings." In an NPR interview, Dempsey says it will be years before Iraqi forces are ready to do the work now done by U.S. troops.
• Bush Meets With Blair, Dispatches Rice to Middle East
  President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair call for a multinational peace-keeping force in the Middle East as they meet at the White House. President Bush says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will head back to the region Saturday to work for lasting stability. However, the president says he's still not calling for an immediate Middle East cease-fire.
• Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry on Generic Drug Deal
  The Justice Department is investigating a deal between two large brand-name drug makers and a generic company. The deal allegedly was made to keep a cheaper, generic form of Plavix off the market for several months. The drug, used to prevent blood clots after heart attacks, has annual sales of more than $3 billion. The charges of collusion potentially involve more than $1 billion in revenue for the brand-name makers.
• Bush Calls for Peacekeepers -- But Where Are They?
  NPR's Michele Kelemen reports on the prospects of an international force for Lebanon. Everyone thinks it's a grand idea, but there are few volunteers.

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