Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Future of ethanol looks cloudy in Congress
  The ethanol industry has had many friends in Congress over the years who have given it preferential treatment, but a key vote last week in the U.S. Senate suggests a tight federal budget is making those friends more scarce.4:49 p.m.
• The Josh Ritter song which became a novel
  Critics describe Josh Ritter as an heir to the musical story-telling tradition of such greats as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Now he's about to publish his debut novel which he says grew out of a song he couldn't fit on his most recent album.4:54 p.m.
• Dayton, GOP meet today after 'productive' talks Friday
  Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders will spend a summer Saturday behind closed doors trying to head off a state government shutdown that would hit in less than a week if they can't agree on a budget.5:20 p.m.
• Dayton, GOP announce weekend meetings, little else
  DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders say they're committed to lengthy negotiations over the next two days to try to reach a budget deal and avoid a government shutdown.5:23 p.m.
• Officials prep for shutdown-related transit disruptions
  Twin Cities transit officials say they can keep the buses and trains running on reserve funds for a few weeks if there's a state government shutdown, but they're making plans for fare increases and route reductions if an eventual budget agreement cuts their funds.5:50 p.m.
• FAQ on Minnesota's state government shutdown
  Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the state government shutdown in Minnesota.5:54 p.m.
• The Dinner Party Download featuring John C. Reilly
  John C. Reilly, one of America's best-loved actors, is the guest of honor on this week's show.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Minorities At The Movies Fill Seats, But Not Screens
  New surveys show that black and Latino moviegoers buy more tickets than other demographics, even though both are underrepresented onscreen. Some say the problem is that Hollywood sees minority audiences as less diverse than they really are.
• Jose Antonio Vargas: 'If I Didn't Tell Those Lies ... I Couldn't Have Survived'
  The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist talks to NPR about why he decided to tell the story of his life as an undocumented immigrant and what coming out could mean for his future.
• Weak Jobs Market Takes Heavier Toll On Black Men
  Dramatic losses in construction and manufacturing have led some economists to dub the downturn a "man-cession," saying it hit men worse than woman. And it's been even harder on black men, whose unemployment rate is about double the national average. Economists don't see a big improvement soon.
• Obama Announces Partnership To Create Factory Jobs
  President Obama announced a new manufacturing partnership Friday with businesses and universities. It's designed to make U.S. factories more competitive — and boost the number of good-paying factory jobs.
• Week In Politics: Deficit; GOP Presidential Field
  Robert Siegel speaks with our regular political commentators, E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and Brookings Institution, and David Brooks of The New York Times.
• Lawmakers Rip Gun-Tracking Effort In Mexico
  While Republicans in Congress and the Justice Department trade accusations over who approved the operation, the bigger effort to take down violent drug and gun traffickers is getting lost in politics.
• Mexico Replaces Police With Soldiers In Border Area
  In the border state of Tamaulipas, the Mexican army is taking over full control of police departments in some of the most troubled cities. Drug cartels have been operating with impunity, and authorities say it could only happen with police involvement.
• U.S., Mexico Face Off For Regional Soccer Supremacy
  About 90,000 people are expected to fill the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, to watch the latest match in a long-running soccer rivalry: The United States against Mexico. They're meeting in the finals of the Gold Cup. Robert Siegel talks to sportswriter Stefan Fatsis for more.
• Imported Beavers Gnaw Away At Argentina's Forests
  In 1946, Argentina brought in 50 Canadian beavers to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in hopes of starting a fur trade. That didn't work, but the beavers, now 200,000 strong, are causing ecological problems. Efforts to stem the onslaught — like persuading locals to serve beaver dishes — haven't quite caught on.
• House Votes On Libya Resolutions
  The House voted Friday on two resolutions dealing with NATO-led military operations in Libya. The first would have authorized U.S. operations for a year — that failed. The second would have placed severe funding limits on American involvement in the conflict — that failed too.

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