Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• U.S. Senate candidates go country at Farmfest
  The candidates for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat sparred over agriculture policy today at Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Republican Mark Kennedy and Democrat Amy Klobuchar both said it may be a good idea to extend current federal agriculture programs instead of writing a new farm bill next year. They disagreed over which one is the true friend of the farmer.5:20 p.m.
• Task force assesses drought situation
  Rain has been falling in parts of the state, and it's helping, but it isn't enough yet to quench the state's drought. At a meeting Tuesday of the State Drought Task Force, members concluded that, despite the recent precipitation, not much has changed across the state in the past two weeks.5:23 p.m.
• How chaotic would CHAOS be for Northwest?
  Northwest Airlines flight attendants have set the clock ticking toward a possible strike, one day after union members rejected a negotiated package of pay and benefit cuts. The union says on Aug. 15 its members will begin a strategy of intermittent work stoppages, called CHAOS, designed to confuse airline management, and lead travelers to book elsewhere.5:48 p.m.
• Honeycrisp apple joins the list of Minnesota state symbols
  The popular Honeycrisp apple today takes its place on the list of official Minnesota state symbols.5:50 p.m.
• Dr. Jon Hallberg on sports doping
  Tour de France champion Floyd Landis is expected to learn the results of his "B" sample doping test Saturday. If the sample confirms the positive result of his first test, Landis could be stripped of his title and banned from the sport for two years.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Buy the House, Lease the Land
  Community land trusts allow first-time buyers to have a house while merely leasing the land it occupies. A trend familiar to towns such as Burlington, Vt., and Boulder, Colo., is spreading nationwide as big cities -- such as Seattle and Chicago -- try to hold on to middle-class homeowners.
• Volatile Miami Awaits Outcome of Castro Crisis
  Thousands of Cuban Americans in South Florida await more news about Fidel Castro. U.S. authorities are preparing for a possible exodus of Cubans headed to Florida -- and Cuban Americans headed to their homeland.
• Castro Recovering, Cuban Government Says
  President Fidel Castro is recovering from intestinal surgery and in good spirits, according to Cuban authorities. News of the leader's health has been closely guarded since he was hospitalized.
• Castro's Move Stirs Speculation in Cuba
  How is Cuba reacting to President Fidel Castro's temporary absence from power? Gary Marx, foreign correspondent for Chicago Tribune offers his insights.
• Christian Village Caught in the Crossfire
  Christians in the southern Lebanese village of Ein Abel are trapped between combatants Israel and Hezbollah. Guerrillas have fired rockets from just outside the village, drawing Israeli return fire. Parts of Ein Abel are in ruins.
• Taiwan Election May Bring New Ties with China
  If leading contender Ma Ying-Jeou is elected Taiwan's president in 2008, he will share one policy goal with Beijing: opposition to current efforts to move Taiwan toward independence.
• Syria, Iran Wild Cards in Mideast Diplomacy
  A "marriage of convenience" between Syria and Iran is likely to complicate diplomatic efforts to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Many observers feel there can be no peace deal without Iran and Syria's consent.
• Utilities Say They're Set for Heat Wave
  As hot weather moves East, demand for electricity to run air conditioners is quickly rising. Utility company executives say that as long as voluntary conservation measures work, there shouldn't be a shortage of electricity.
• Fidel or Raul? Simmering Debate Nears a Boil
  Raul Castro, 75, now holds power in Cuba as older brother Fidel Castro recovers from surgery. The development has intensified power struggles in Havana between two sets of loyalists: Fidelistas and Raulistas.
• High Temps Prompt Call for Federal Funds
  There are calls for the federal government to respond to the nation's heat wave by releasing millions of dollars to help people with low incomes cover the cost of cooling their homes.
• 'Cuba Is Right There for Me'
  For many who fled Castro's Cuba -- even those who were small children at the time -- the island nation still holds powerful memories decades later. One woman now living in Lexington, Mass., finds her thoughts turning often to a doll she left behind.
• Cingular Eyes Fees for Customers Who Won't Upgrade
  Cingular Wireless wants to charge customers who don't upgrade cell phones a $5 monthly fee. Kevin Fitchard of Telephony Magazine fills Michele Norris in on the technical and financial details.
• Ink Makes Boiling Eggs a 'Timeless' Process
  A special ink coating may allow boiled-egg lovers to toss out their timers. The ink reflects how fully the egg has been cooked: soft, medium or hard. Angie McGrandles of the British Egg Information service tells Melissa Block how it works.
• Arizona Lawmaker Headed for Iraq on Guard Duty
  Jonathan Paton, a Republican state legislator in Arizona, is up for re-election. He's also an Army National Guard officer on his way to Iraq. How does he run while on active duty... and how does anyone run against him?
• Fierce Fighting Marks Mideast Conflict
  Thousands of Israeli ground forces pouring into southern Lebanon are meeting strong resistance from Hezbollah guerrillas. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says an immediate cease fire is not in Israel's best interest.

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