Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Quality of defense at issue in fatal Toyota crash
  A Minnesota man seeking a new trial in a fatal crash involving a Toyota might have been acquitted if his trial lawyer had properly investigated the crash and offered evidence to show his client tried to stop the car, a legal expert testified Wednesday.1:44 a.m.
• Ahead of primary, concerns over expected voter turnout
  Officials and experts are predicting only a 10 to 12 percent turnout at the August 10 primary that will narrow the candidates for governor down to three.1:50 a.m.
• Emmer, DFLers skirmish over budget, biofuels at Farmfest
  The three Democratic candidates for governor took aim at Republican Tom Emmer on Wednesday, using a forum at Farmfest near Redwood Falls to criticize Emmer's no-taxes pledge as short-sighted.2:20 a.m.
• UnitedHealth purchase could offset company's health reform worries
  Shares of UnitedHealth Group jumped a 1.5 percent Wednesday as the company placed a big bet to hedge against against the uncertainties of health reform.2:26 a.m.
• Fringe Festival preview: Groundbreakers, the digestive tract, and losers on stage
  The 17th annual Minnesota Fringe Festival pulls up the curtains tomorrow at 15 venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota Public Radio's Arts Unit went to find out what's making this year's "Fringe" unique.2:51 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Singular Spies: James Bond 007 And Alex Rider MI6
  Author Anthony Horowitz loves nothing more than when a young fan asks him to sign a battered copy of a book in his Alex Rider series — young adult fiction featuring a skateboard-riding teen spy. When it comes to his favorite thriller, he recommends Ian Fleming's "Crime de la Crime" in Goldfinger.
• BP Says 'Static Kill' Is Complete
  BP's blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico is now filled with heavy fluid that has effectively blocked the flow of oil up from the reservoir, more than two miles beneath the seabed. Meanwhile, a government report claims that about 74 percent of the oil has been effectively dealt with by capture, burning, skimming, evaporation, dissolution or dispersion.
• Gulf Residents Skeptical Of Federal Oil Report
  A federal report released Wednesday finds that most of the oil in the Gulf of Mexico poses little additional risk to people and the environment. It's a view not necessarily shared by people living in the affected area.
• For-Profit Colleges Encouraged Fraud, Used Deceptive Marketing, GAO Reports
  At a hearing today, Senators saw evidence that prospective students at for-profit institutions were misled, forced to take out large loans.
• Bible Of Mormonism Founder Selling For $1.5 Million
  The personal bible of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, has turned up for sale at a rare bookstore in Salt Lake City. This week, Utahns had a chance to look at the one-of-a-kind historical tome. Whoever buys the $1.5 million bible will also get genealogical notes about the Smith family not found anywhere else.
• Wearing Flip-Flops? Watch Your Step
  Dr. Rock Positano says he's seen tendinitis, heel problems, Achilles tendon issues, ankle injuries -- all attributed to flip-flops. He tells NPR the risk comes from wearing flip-flops at times when the foot needs far more protection.
• Rise In Foreclosures Burdens States, Economy
  The foreclosure crisis is deepening in Massachusetts, Florida, Nevada and other states. Some analysts say foreclosures are tied more closely to bad economic conditions than to the type of loan homeowners have. Many troubled homeowners still don't know where to turn for help.
• States' Tax Holidays Are Irresponsible, Critics Say
  Nearly a dozen states will hold sales tax holidays this weekend, suspending taxes on back-to-school supplies, from notebooks and pens to new clothes and shoes. The holidays are popular with retailers, many of whom see a boost in sales without giving up any revenue. But many policy analysts say the tax holidays are ineffective and actually decrease state revenues.
• Yankees' Alex Rodriguez Hits 600th Homer
  Michele Norris talks to NPR's Mike Pesca about Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees, who hit his 600th home run on Wednesday. But Rodriguez's accomplishment was greeted with muted enthusiasm because of his admission that he has taken performance enhancing drugs during his career.
• Video Game Hall Of Fame To Open In Iowa
  The International Video Game Hall of Fame gets its kickoff this week in the town of Ottumwa, Iowa. Melissa Block talks to Mayor Dale Uehling about his hopes that the hall will grow into a Cooperstown-scale tourist attraction. There's no building for the Hall of Fame yet, but there is a four-day festival called Big Bang 2010. Organizers are expecting as many as 5,000 people to attend.

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