Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Art Hounds
  Each week Minnesota Public Radio News asks three people from the Minnesota arts scene to be "Art Hounds." Their job is to step outside their own work and hunt down something exciting that's going on in local arts.4:45 p.m.
• Persistent drought complicates the politics of ethanol
  Will you be paying more at the grocery store this year because of what you're burning in your gas tank?4:54 p.m.
• Court: Gay partners have right to inheritance
  A Hennepin County District Court referee has ruled that same-sex partners have the right to inherit each other's assets. It could open the door for other Minnesota gay and lesbian couples to access additional benefits of marriage.5:20 p.m.
• Clark supporters raise abortion issue against 8th District opponent
  Abortion has become an issue in the DFL primary contest in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. A group backing former state Sen. Tarryl Clark sent out campaign mailings criticizing one of Clark's opponents, former Congressman Rick Nolan, for his past abortion votes.5:24 p.m.
• Sartell looks to future after Verso plant closes
  Verso Paper Co. officials announced this afternoon that they won't reopen their paper mill in Sartell, Minn., which was heavily damaged by a fire in late May.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Annan To Step Down As U.N.'s Envoy To Syria
  The battle for Syria's commercial capital shows no sign of abating. Humanitarian conditions are worsening for civilians in Aleppo.
• Fighting Rages On In Syria's Commercial Capital
  Fighting continued in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Thursday. The country's commercial capital has been the site of fighting between government and rebel fighters for two weeks. Audie Cornish talks with Erika Solomon, a Middle East Correspondent for Reuters who was recently reporting from Aleppo.
• Its Financial Future In Question, Facebook Tries To Tell A Different Story
  Facebook's stock has lost nearly half its value since the company went public. Many analysts are skeptical about Facebook's future as a business. Now it's trying to change the narrative, launching a site devoted to stories showing the different ways people use Facebook. They include a man in India trying to rebuild his life after losing his memory.
• Missy Franklin A Reason For Aurora, Colo., To Cheer
  The city of Aurora, Colo., is relishing the opportunity to cheer for its hometown Olympian, Missy Franklin. Franklin is a 17-year-old swimmer.
• As Games Play On, London Quieter Than Expected
  Just a few weeks ago, warnings were flying thick and fast that the Olympic Games would reduce London to chaos, jamming the capital's roads and clogging up its aging transport system. Officials urged residents to work from home and plan their travel carefully. The public seems to have taken that advice to heart.
• Americans Divided On Historically Low Interest Rates
  Interest rates have hit record lows this summer, and they're projected to be low for some time. Audie Cornish checks in with people from around the country to find out how it's affecting them. We hear from a county in Kansas that's taken advantage of the moment to re-finance all its debt, saving the county nearly $1 million. We also hear from a small business owner about her efforts to get a new loan to expand her business. We hear from a homeowner who, despite having good credit and stable income, is unable to refinance to a lower rate. And we check in with a personal finance columnist to hear about where you might put your savings while interest rates remain rock bottom.
• 48 Years After Divorce, Couple Is Giving Marriage Another Shot
  Lena Henderson and Roland Davis split in 1964, after 20 years of marriage. Nearly five decades later, they're coming together again on Saturday in Buffalo. "You never know what tomorrow is going to bring," says the bride.
• Extreme Makeover, Potato Edition
  Will tomorrow's U.S. supermarket stock 10 kinds of potatoes? Potato geneticist Chuck Brown hopes so. He's been working to introduce the American market to purple, orange and red potato varieties, and bring back the sizzle potatoes once enjoyed.
• Discovery Of 7,000th Amphibian Celebrated In Song
  The website AmphibiaWeb celebrated the discovery of the 7,000th species of amphibian this week. The website is run by the University of California, Berkeley. Audie Cornish has more.
• Americans Grab More Gold In Swimming, Gymnastics
  American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte faced off for the last time Thursday at the London Summer Olympics. Phelps won that race, the 200-meter individual medley. Meanwhile, gymnast Gabby Douglas competed in the women's individual all-around final and took the gold. Tom Goldman talks to Audie Cornish.

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