Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New schools make debut around Minnesota
  The start of school today Tuesday also meant the debut of at least seven new school buildings in Minnesota.5:20 p.m.
• Q & A: How schools are preparing for H1N1 flu
  The start of the new school year is expected to cause a surge in the number of H1N1 influenza cases. MPR News' health reporter Lorna Benson answers questions about some of the possible scenarios that could arise this flu season.5:24 p.m.
• Shooting suspect had long history of violence
  Devon Dockery had a long history of domestic abuse, and had previously threatened to kill himself and his wife, according to law enforcement records.5:51 p.m.
• Record numbers big business for State Fair vendors
  For fairgoers the Minnesota State Fair is about fun, for competitors it's about winning, but for about 1,300 merchants at the fair, it's about making a buck.5:54 p.m.
• Llamas in costume
  Llamas are best known for their work as pack animals in the highlands of Peru. At the Minnesota State Fair, however, they've set aside the trekking supplies and don costumes instead. Reporter Nikki Tundel attended the fair's 4-H Llama Costume Contest and learned a lot about the long-necked mammals.6:29 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Financial Crisis Gave Candidate Obama A Boost
  A year ago, the financial crisis offered voters a glimpse of the two presidential candidates in action. It was a moment that solidified Barack Obama's narrow lead over John McCain. Once Obama was elected, the crisis defined his early presidency.
• Portable Bomb Detector Prompts Debate In Iraq
  Iraqi security forces are using a simple hand-held device that they claim is effective in detecting potential car bombs. The "sniffers" are deployed at roadside checkpoints throughout the country. But U.S. military officials say the science behind the devices is suspect at best.
• Libel Case Sparks New Focus On Stalin's Reputation
  A Russian court has agreed to hear a libel case brought by Josef Stalin's grandson over a commentary stating that Stalin ordered the killings of millions of Soviet citizens. Historians and human rights activists say the case is yet another effort by Moscow to airbrush Stalin's image.
• The Beatles Remastered, Not Just For Audiophiles
  Diehard fans of The Beatles have been waiting for this moment for decades. On Sept. 9, EMI will release remastered copies of the band's entire catalog, from 1963's Please Please Me to the 1969 album Abbey Road. The remastered versions offer stunning clarity to The Beatles' music, allowing fans to hear elements in the songs they most likely never noticed before, like subtle sound effects or guitar lines that were lost in the original, all-analog releases.
• Rethinking 'Retarded': Should It Leave The Lexicon?
  People are starting to think twice about using the word "retarded" as a casual put-down. The word is no longer used in medical and social service circles, and activists are campaigning against television shows and movies that use the so-called r-word offensively.
• 'E-Verify' Screening Rules Kick In For Contractors
  Beginning Tuesday, federal contractors will be required to use an online security system to check whether employees are eligible to work in the U.S. Proponents of E-Verify say it's faster and more accurate than older methods, while critics say it costs time and money — and stolen identities can slip through the cracks.
• Afghan Vote Questions May Take Months To Resolve
  U.N. and Afghan officials confirmed reports of fraud in the Aug. 20 presidential elections and ordered a partial recount. The latest returns from the Afghan Election Commission show incumbent President Hamid Karzai now has enough votes to avoid a run-off with his nearest challenger.
• How Should U.S. Handle Afghan Election Result?
  Allegations of fraud have marred Afghanistan's presidential election. Ronald Neumann, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, says despite the allegations it is worth it for the White house to maintain support for Afghanistan.
• Teen Ga. Phenom Takes U.S. Open By Storm
  The player to watch at this U.S. Open has been the unsuspecting 17-year-old Melanie Oudin. Ranked 70th in the world, the Marietta, Ga., teen has battled her way to the quarterfinals. Former tennis pro and U.S. Open commentator Mary Joe Fernandez says Oudin has become "America's sweetheart overnight."
• Letters: Obama's Speech, KitchenAid, Recordings
  Melissa Block and Noah Adams read from criticism of the coverage of President Obama's address to students, and letters of praise for stories about KitchenAid blenders and home audio recordings.

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