Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Study gives insight on COPD treatment
  There's new evidence that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may benefit from regular antibiotic therapy.4:50 p.m.
• State fair stages prep for severe weather safety
  This year, there are more than a dozen bands set to play outdoor evening grandstand shows at the Minnesota State Fair. And the fair's deputy general manager Renee Pearson says fair-goers are safe.4:54 p.m.
• Officials consider increasing property tax levy to make up for shortfall
  City officials throughout the state must decide whether to increase property taxes to balance their budgets, and the budget deal that ended a state government shutdown last month doesn't make the task any easier.5:24 p.m.
• Cube Critics get back to film
  Minnesota Public Radio's resident film afficianados, Stephanie Curtis the Movie Maven and arts reporter Euan Kerr, aren't afraid to mix it up when the conversation turns to cinema.6:25 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• For Corn Farmers, There's Gold In Them There Fields
  Demand from the ethanol and livestock industries, big orders from China and a forecast of lower crop yields all mean one thing: Corn prices are soaring. That's welcome news for farmers. But some aren't sure when to sell because they fear they'll miss the boat on even higher prices.
• Rebels Edge Into Gadhafi's Birthplace
  Rebels in eastern Libya are nearing one of the last remaining Gadhafi strongholds outside Tripoli: the Libyan leader's birthplace, Sirte, on the Mediterranean coast. It's unclear whether the city will surrender, but the rebels have gained ground nearby in recent days, capturing the oil port of Ras Lanuf, just over 100 miles east of Sirte. Melissa Block talks to NPR's Soraya Nelson for more.
• Journalist Recalls Being Held In Tripoli Hotel
  Robert Siegel speaks with Missy Ryan of Reuters about being held captive in the Rixos hotel in Tripoli, Libya, for the past several days.
• Russian Rocket Fails En Route To Space Station
  News reports from Russia described an explosion and pieces falling to the ground in Siberia. The failure is an unwelcome surprise for NASA, which retired its space shuttles last month. The agency now depends on Russian rockets to carry up not just cargo but also U.S. astronauts.
• No Relief In Sight For Somali Refugees In Kenya
  The African Union hopes to raise funds and awareness of the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, especially in Somalia, with a "pledging conference" Thursday. The U.N. is appealing for more than $1.5 billion in donations, as refugees from the war-ravaged country continue to stream into Kenya.
• El Nino Seen As Trigger For Violence In The Tropics
  An analysis of civil conflicts between 1950 and 2004 found that in tropical countries, conflicts were twice as likely to occur in El Nino years. Researchers say the abnormally warm, dry weather could put a strain on the water and farming resources, which could lead to battles.
• Libyan Weapons Stockpiles Remain A Concern
  As the Gadhafi regime crumbles, Libya's weapons stockpiles remain a big area of concern. In 2003, Libya agreed to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction. International inspectors oversaw the destruction. The U.S. went on to establish full diplomatic relations with Libya, which was taken off the list of state sponsors of terrorism. But the process to destroy the weapons was not complete. So what weapons remain behind? And who's in charge of securing them? Melissa Block talks with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers about the security of Libya's weapons.
• Restarting Libya's Valuable Oil Exports Won't Be Easy
  The revolution in Libya has strangled the country's oil exports for months. Even after the current conflict is settled, restarting production and distribution of the high-quality oil, which makes up 2 percent of the world's supply, could take years.
• Letters: Dominique Strauss-Kahn; Earthquake
  Robert Siegel and Melissa Block read emails from listeners.
• Summer Sounds: Kiddie Train
  The Saint Louis Zoo has a little train that recalls the Summer Sounds of producer Sean Collins' past. He revisits that little locomotive that inspired him.

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