Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Soldier from Moorhead killed in Iraq
  Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Nelson, 22, died Wednesday, according to his family. Nelson, who was with the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, N.C., was on patrol outside of Tikrit when he was killed.4:48 p.m.
• 4-Hers after hours
  Thousands of 4-Hers flood the fairgrounds to showcase their sheep and cattle and swine. But just what do all these farm kids do when they're not in the judging ring?4:54 p.m.
• Ford closes youth ballfields because of contamination
  Three baseball fields on Ford Motor Co. property in St. Paul have been shut down after testing positive for elevated levels of heavy metals. The company says the readings do not pose a health risk.5:20 p.m.
• A summer of discontent for airline passengers
  Did your summer air travel take a lot longer than you planned? The head of the Federal Aviation Administration says this has been one of the worst summers on record -- total delays are up 19 percent from where they were last year.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Mapping the Senate after Warner's Departure
  After the retirement of Sen. John Warner, and with Sen. Larry Craig's seat in jeopardy, where do Republicans and Democrats in the Senate stand ahead of the 2008 elections?
• Co-Pilot of Crashed Helicopter in Iraq Laid to Rest
  Chief Warrant Officer Paul Flynn was helping pilot the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed in Iraq last week, killing all 14 aboard. The North Carolina native had been in the Army for 10 years and was on his first deployment to Iraq. His funeral is Friday in his hometown of Gibsonville. Jessica Jones of North Carolina Public Radio reports.
• Mexico's President Proves His Critics Wrong
  Mexican President Felipe Calderon is giving his first State of the Union address Saturday night — and what a difference a year makes. Coming into his presidency, it looked as though Calderon would be a lame duck. But now, even his critics say Calderon has been governing with a deft touch.
• Crew to Study Meteor Shower Aboard Aircraft
  A team of scientists and astronomers will study the Aurigid meteor shower aboard two aircraft high above the Pacific Ocean early Saturday morning. Scientists will observe how the meteors break up and examine their colors to learn about the materials that formed the solar system.
• Bush, Joint Chiefs Talk Surge Strategy
  President Bush visited the Pentagon on Friday to meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The visit marks the beginning of a two-week marathon of reports on the future of the U.S. military effort in Iraq.
• GOP's Sen. Warner, Key Voice on Iraq, to Retire
  Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2008 and will retire after 30 years in the Senate. Warner has been one of the most authoritative voices in Congress on the military — and a key figure in the debate over the war in Iraq. Warner's retirement will make it even more difficult for Republicans to win back the Senate majority that they lost in November.
• Basra Turf Concerns Grow as Brits Pack Up
  British troops are due to leave their base in central Basra and move to an airbase 10 miles outside the city; their full withdrawal from Iraq is expected by the end of the year. Military analysts say the United States — already stretched thin in Iraq — most likely will have to send its troops to Basra.
• Golden Gate Bridge May Get Corporate Sponsors
  San Francisco's architectural icon is increasingly expensive to operate. Now, officials propose finding corporate sponsors to help offset costs. But traditionalists oppose even the most understated corporate signage associated with the bridge.
• Unable to Agree, NBC and iTunes Part Ways
  NBC Universal announced that it will let its contract with Apple's iTunes store lapse at the end of the year. The two companies have been unable to come to an agreement on prices. NBC Universal is the biggest supplier of digital video at iTunes, selling hit shows like The Office and Heroes.
• Refinancing Help Won't Erase Borrowers' Problems
  Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says the steps the Bush administration is taking will help identify mortgage holders who might have problems down the line. He says the government cannot make the problems go away, but it can try to help those who are capable of owning a home refinance their loans.
• Bush Offers Help to Overwhelmed Mortgage Holders
  Responding to the growing wave of mortgage foreclosures, President Bush has announced measures that could help some troubled borrowers keep their homes. But only a small fraction of subprime borrowers will be eligible.
• Even Spiders Know Everything's Bigger in Texas
  Lake Tawakoni State Park in Texas has some new tenants: spiders – lots of spiders. And they have spun a giant communal web. Several hundred yards along a nature trail have been taken over by the elaborate arachnid construction.
• College Football Season Off to Lopsided Start
  The college football season kicked off last night, with many top teams in action. This is the time of the year when many smaller teams have their hands full with larger schools and their huge athletic budgets. The result is many lopsided blowouts. New rules this season could also lead to big scores. Wall Street Journal sportswriter Stefan Fatsis talks with Robert Siegel.
• Diana's Old Foe Keeps Low Profile on Anniversary
  A memorial service Friday in London marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. Members of Britain's royal family attended the service, but not Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the new wife of Diana's former husband, Prince Charles. She withdrew from the event after criticism from sections of the media and the public, who blame Camilla for the breakup of Diana's marriage.
• New British U.N. Ambassador Discusses Priorities
  Sir John Sawers is Britain's new ambassador to the United Nations. Sawers talks with Robert Siegel about what's going on at the U.N. and what his priorities are for the Middle East.

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