Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Xcel agreement dims coal's future, critics say
  Critics of coal-fired power plants say the future of electricity made from coal may be dimmer, following an agreement by Xcel Energy to tell stockholders about financial risks posed by climate change.2:20 p.m.
• A finance company walks its way to profits
  A Minneapolis company tried out treadmill desks for six months. Employees lost weight and increased productivity.2:24 p.m.
• Movies go underground in Minneapolis
  The Twin Cities gets a new film festival this weekend: a festival born out of frustration. The organizers of Minneapolis Underground Film Festival will screen movies that mainstream events have shunned.2:50 p.m.
• What restaurants will be open during the RNC?
  A few Twin Cities restaurants and nightspots will be closed for private parties for periods of time during the Republican National Convention. Others say they'll be open for business as usual and they hope local patrons won't stay away.2:54 p.m.
• Minnesota State Fair: What's that sound?
  The Minnesota State Fair has been going since last Thursday and it's always a feast for the senses. You might even say, sensory overload. Great people watching and visual distraction everywhere. The smells of the deep fryer, and the swine barn.2:57 p.m.
• Pawlenty cancels media interviews
  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty joined some other Republicans in Denver this morning to rip Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.3:20 p.m.
• St. Paul spiffs up for the Republican National Convention
  Workers and cleaning crews are going the extra mile to spruce up downtown St. Paul for the upcoming Republican National Convention.3:24 p.m.
• Can I get a cab?
  Will I have any trouble getting a taxi during the RNC?3:51 p.m.
• 2008 Democratic National Convention Day 4
  The final day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.4:07 p.m.
• Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak plays big role at both conventions
  Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is having a busier two weeks than most of the delegates at the DNC. Rybak co-chairs the delegation in Denver. He's a statewide co-chair for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and he's helping to host the Republican National Convention next week.4:16 p.m.
• Kids bring their passion for politics to Denver
  Like thousands of others in Denver, some children have brought their political passion and protests to the streets.4:21 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• 1969 Record By Detroit's Rodriguez Resurfaces
  Sixto Diaz Rodriguez sounded like a cross between Bob Dylan and Love's Arthur Lee. But after his recording debut in 1969, both Rodriguez and his record disappeared in the U.S. He enjoyed success in other countries and now the record is being re-released.
• Economic Growth Spurs Concerns Over Inflation
  With higher than expected economic growth, economists remain concerned about inflation. Some think the economy is facing enough head winds to keep it in check. Others say the strong GDP numbers mean the economy hasn't slowed down enough yet to curb inflation.
• In Arkansas, Fiddlers Try To Preserve Local Tunes
  Mountain View, Ark., is a small town in the Ozark Mountains where musicians are leading an effort to keep the town alive. It's part of a series talking to people about whom they look up to.
• Study: Oxygen Levels Have Varied Little Over Ages
  A new study finds oxygen has probably not varied all that dramatically since dinosaurs first roamed the Earth. Scientists in Ireland say the atmosphere seems to have been at least 15 percent oxygen for hundreds of millions of years.
• Letters: College Tuition, 'Braid,' Sharing
  Listeners respond to our stories on college tuition, the videogame Braid and sharing.
• FEMA Prepares For Gustav To Hit Gulf Coast
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency is focused on dealing with the storm Gustav, which could smash the Gulf Coast as a major hurricane. The head of FEMA is in the region and his boss, Homeland Defense Secretary Michael Chertoff, is going, too.
• GOP Analyst Breaks Down Democratic Convention
  The Democratic National Convention saw speeches from Hillary and Bill Clinton as well as Michelle Obama. Republican media strategist Stuart Stevens says that though there were successes, the convention was defensive rather than offensive in nature.
• Obama To Accept Democratic Nomination
  Barack Obama officially accepts his party's nomination for president Thursday at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High. Up to 76,000 people are expected to attend. Democrats want to hear about the party's future. Obama is expected to emphasize his roots.
• Rep. Lewis Reflects On King, Obama
  Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. Rep. John Lewis, the last surviving speaker from the March on Washington, reflects on the historic nature of Obama's nomination.
• What The Public Wants In Obama's Speech
  Barack Obama's speech Thursday comes with sky-high expectations. Some on the streets of Denver say they want him to talk about how he'll be different from President Bush. Other say they want his foreign, domestic and economic policies spelled out.
• McCain VP Pick May Steal Obama Thunder
  Barack Obama's speech is expected to focus on where he comes from, what he's going to fight for, what he means by change and how he's different from John McCain. But McCain hopes to steal Obama's thunder with an announcement of his vice presidential pick.
• Some Say Georgia Crisis May Damage Rice Legacy
  As critics question her approach to Russia, aides to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice say she played a key role in getting Georgia to sign a peace plan with Russia and uniting NATO around a common response.
• Urban Planner Cites Hope, Anxiety In New Orleans
  Urban planning miracle worker Ed Blakely was brought in by New Orleans to manage recovery. Criticized for over-promising, he says funding has been a problem but there are bright days ahead. Blakely says New Orleanians should be anxious but hopeful.
• Obama Uses Text Messaging With Eye On Nov. 4
  The Obama campaign has used text messaging to communicate with its supporters. Andrew Rasiej, founder of TechPresident, a blog that focuses on technology and the presidential campaigns, says the cell phone numbers can be used to get out the vote on Nov. 4.
• In Swing-State Tour, Democrats To Target Economy
  Barack Obama and Joe Biden will begin Friday a joint bus trip through the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, which have been hard hit by the economic downturn. Obama and his running mate will emphasize the economy.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories

Become a Sponsor