Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• State Fair show will celebrate 150 years of Minnesota statehood
  One of the special Minnesota State Fair attractions this year is the Big Top State Fair Chautauqua. It will present a mixture of music and lectures celebrating 150 years of Minnesota statehood.4:50 p.m.
• 'Street medics' gear up for RNC protests
  A small crew of street medics is preparing to offer first aid and mental health care to protesters and others during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.5:20 p.m.
• U of M study: Stadium beer vendors too lax
  A study from the University of Minnesota says it's too easy for people under 21 and people who are intoxicated to get beer at professional sporting events.5:24 p.m.
• Economic lookouts say the cost of inflation is finally starting to sink in
  Investors today are hoping inflation has hit its peak. Our economic lookouts say people are feeling the bite of inflation like never before.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Old 97's 'Blame It On Gravity': Taut and Delicate
  Formed in Dallas, the Old 97's were long pigeonholed as an alt-country band. They never were — just a rocking quartet with a terrific songwriter up top. They've just put out their best album in seven years.
• Magpies Can Recognize Reflection
  Recognizing one's self in a mirror used to be considered the hallmark of humans some other animals such as elephants, dolphins and chimps. Now scientists have shown that even a magpie can do the trick.
• In S. Ossetia, Opposition To Georgia Remains
  The people of the breakaway region of South Ossetia say they will never rejoin Georgia. Many of them say they want independence, or even union with Russia. It seems Russia will keep its forces in South Ossetia for the foreseeable future.
• Letters: Bikinis In Women's Volleyball
  Listeners responded to Tuesday's story on the subject of swimsuits — specifically, the bikinis that the women's Olympic beach volleyball players wear. Many listeners weren't satisfied with the explanation.
• Support Grows To Change Kosher Rules
  Support is growing in the Jewish community to change the standards for kosher certification — to include an ethical component. A group of conservative rabbis has drafted guidelines. The orthodox movement has resisted the idea, but may be open to independent certification on ethical issues.
• In Vietnam, Press Freedom Stifled
  Two months ago, the journalists who wrote stories that led to the PMU 18 scandal in Vietnam were sent to jail for inaccurate reporting. Observers believe the arrests and disciplinary action against dozens more journalists will make them censor themselves in the future.
• Jamaica's Bolt Breaks 200M Record
  Jamaica's Usain Bolt broke the world record by winning the 200 meters in 19.30 seconds. He is the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to win both the 100- and 200-meter events at an Olympics. He is also the first man to break the world marks in both events.
• Ways To Keep Roses From Getting Black Spot
  Although roses are among the most commonly planted flowers, many people don't know the basics about their care and keeping. Local gardener Lisa Caprioglio says the way roses are watered affects their tendency to get black spot.
• New Orleans Fights To Save Churches
  Many churches in New Orleans are slated to close not necessarily because of blighted areas but because congregations are shrinking. Some of the buildings are historic or simply beautiful and some communities are mobilizing to keep them open.
• Sen. Stevens' Bid To Move Trial To Alaska Fails
  Sen. Ted Stevens has lost a bid to move his corruption trial from Washington to his home state of Alaska. The Republican lawmaker had said both the witnesses and his campaign for re-election were in Alaska. The trial is due to start next month.
• Afghanistan Wins First Olympic Medal
  Afghanistan won its first Olympic medal ever today. Rohullah Nikpai won a bronze in the men's under 58-kilogram tae kwon do event in Beijing. Afghan President Hamid Karzai called Nikpai to congratulate him, a presidential spokesman said.
• GOP Hopes to Swing Minnesota for McCain
  Minnesota is a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential election. Barack Obama's double-digit lead in state polls has shrunk to just over two points. Ron Carey, chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, says the GOP is engaging in grassroots-level politics in the state.
• Democrats Seek To Keep Minnesota Blue
  In Minnesota, Barack Obama has seen a double-digit lead over John McCain shrink in the polls. Brian Melendez, the head of the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, says pollsters are missing younger, more mobile voters who use cell phones and text messages to communicate.
• Ohio Bans Voting Machine 'Sleepovers'
  The Ohio secretary of state has prohibited poll workers from taking voting machines home before Election Day, a practice known as "sleepovers." Jodi Dibble, deputy director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections, says there has never been an incident of tampering.
• A Walk Through Beijing's Vanishing Hutongs
  Beijing is a city of contrasts: It has dazzling Olympic venues as well as the ancient city, a maze of homes and alleys, or hutongs, that are rapidly being demolished to make way for high-rise development. A walk reveals the vanishing backstreet neighborhoods.

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