Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Urban heat island effect
  Thursday's sudden storms may have been initiated and enhanced by the Twin Cities urban heat island. NASA's study with video animation of this phenomenon.3:48 p.m.
• Rescuers recover body of second missing sewer worker
  The body of a second sewer worker who was caught beneath the city's streets during a heavy rain was recovered from the Mississippi River on Saturday, authorities said.5:20 p.m.
• Medtronic to acquire spinal device maker Kyphon for $3.9 billion
  Fridley-based Medtronic is buying a rival to expand its spinal business. The big medical device maker announced Friday a $3.9 billion purchase of spinal implant maker Kyphon.5:25 p.m.
• Airlines could see a shortage of pilots
  Eagan-based Northwest Airlines recently announced it will again start hiring pilots after years of retrenchment. But Northwest and other carriers could be facing a shortage of pilots.5:51 p.m.
• Arts crawl spotlights the positive side of north Minneapolis
  The second annual Northside ArtsCrawl showcases talents of artists who live and work in north Minneapolis. Organizers hope the activities will shine a positive light on the area's redevelopment efforts.6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• U.S.-Sunni Alliance Sparks Outrage in Iraq
  U.S. troops have been in an uneasy alliance with Sunni insurgents in Amriya, a district west of Baghdad, for about six weeks. The pact ensures no more attacks against U.S. troops, but it has sparked outrage from the Iraqi army and police — and the Shiite-led government.
• Astronauts' Behavior Prompts NASA Policy Debate
  NASA promised to review its efforts to monitor the mental health of the astronaut corps after an astronaut was arrested in February. A report on the issue says the agency allowed two astronauts to fly 12 hours after they had gotten drunk.
• 'Moliere' Director Compares U.S., French Cinema
  French director Laurent Tirard's second film, Moliere, has been likened to a French version of Shakespeare in Love. Tirard is the screenwriter and director of the movie, which has its U.S. release Friday. The movie imagines an undocumented period of the great French playwright and actor Moliere. Tirard talks with Robert Siegel about learning to be a director in America and learning about the differences between French and American cinema.
• Foreign Policy Stokes Clinton-Obama Rivalry
  In Monday night's Democratic debate, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton traded sharp words after Obama, responding to a question, said he would be willing to meet with foreign dictators without preconditions. Now, there is a full-fledged squabble over foreign policy and experience.
• On the Road with John Edwards
  NPR's Linda Wertheimer travels with Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on the back roads of Iowa, where he is extremely popular with voters since his 2004 campaign.
• The Hidden Messages in Romney's New Ad
  No presidential candidate has spent more money on ads than Republican Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor's latest television spot, "Ocean," is a study in smart, subtle pitches to conservatives while also appealing to moderates.
• Letters: Qualities of a Good Leader
  A July 20 story about Columbus, Ohio, residents' thoughts on important traits of leadership featured a request that listeners write in with their ideas on the qualities of a good leader. Michele Norris and Robert Siegel read some of the listeners' responses.
• Mystery Ice Crashes into Iowa Woman's Home
  A mysterious 50-pound block of ice crashed through the roof of Jan Kenkel's house Thursday morning. Michele Norris talks with the Dubuque, Iowa, resident.
• Cacophanies from Metal on Dry Ice
  Professional sound recordist Andy Aaron shares some sounds from his collection — various pieces of metal reacting with dry ice, with surprisingly varied results – for this installment of SoundClips.
• Nervous Investors Send Dow Tumbling
  The Dow continued to drop Friday, capping an ugly week for the stock market. Investors have become jittery over the prospect that tighter credit will slow the pace of mergers and cause consumers to curb spending.

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