Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Searchers say third body believed found in wreckage
  Authorities said Thursday they had recovered the bodies of two victims from the site of the interstate bridge collapse and believed they had a third. If the third recovery is confirmed, it would bring the confirmed death toll to eight.5:20 p.m.
• Bush cool to federal gas tax increase
  President Bush isn't embracing Minnesota Rep. Jim Oberstar's call for a federal gas tax increase. Oberstar says the tax income should be used to repair and replace structurally deficient bridges.5:24 p.m.
• Bridge inspectors across St. Croix affected by I-35W collapse
  Since the I-35W bridge collapse last week, there has been a lot of attention on how, and how often, bridges are inspected. As investigators look for the causes of the collapse of the Minneapolis bridge, engineers around the country continue their inspections, hoping to find evidence that could prevent the next bridge failure. MPR's Tom Crann spoke with Wisconsin State Bridge Engineer Finn Hubbard. Hubbard has performed bridge inspections and he says engineers need special equipment to see the underside of major bridges.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• S.C. Moves GOP Primary, Sets Off Chain Reaction
  The South Carolina Republican Party announced Thursday that it is moving forward the date for its presidential primary to earlier in January next year. The move has implications for New Hampshire's "first in the nation" primary and other states.
• Bush Covers Economy, War, Legislation
  Before leaving for his vacation, President Bush had a news conference Thursday at the White House, talking about the economy, the war in Iraq and his legislative priorities.
• U.S., China Tied at the Ankle on Mine Safety
  Coal mining safety has improved in the United States since the industrial revolution. But China is running far behind. NPR Senior Analyst Ted Koppel talks about why it is in America's best interests to help China move along.
• Are Generic Biotech Drugs Coming Soon?
  Some congressional staffers are working on bill to allow generic versions of expensive biotech drugs. But critics say that testing the knockoff's safety and effectiveness is trickier than it sounds.
• Dweezil Zappa Honors his Dad in Baltimore
  Aug. 9, 2007, is the first-ever Frank Zappa Day in Baltimore. Zappa was born Dec. 21, 1940, in Baltimore. So why celebrate now? It happens to be the day that Zappa's son, Dweezil, has chosen to visit Baltimore and play some of his dad's songs.
• Newark Murder Suspect Turns Himself In
  Newark police arrested a 15-year-old boy and charged him with the murders of three college students last weekend. A second suspect turned himself in to police hours after a manhunt was announced for him.
• U.S. Considers Aiding Mexico in Drug War
  The Bush administration is considering joining Mexico's battle against narco-traffickers with a multibillion-dollar anti-drug plan that could provide telephone tapping equipment, military helicopters, radar to track drug shipments, and training.
• Bedouins Fight Israel's Efforts to Move Them
  The state of Israel recently razed two Bedouin villages, calling the shanty towns illegal and unauthorized. Yet the Bedouins are resisting efforts to move them into government-sponsored townships, which would mean giving up their herding and farming lifestyle.
• Lead in Kids Jewelry from China Prompts Ban
  Toxic lead is turning up in inexpensive children's jewelry — much of it made in China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the only way to deal with it is to impose a ban. Congress is considering the issue. California isn't waiting.
• Simpsons: 'Ka-Ching' Is the Same in Any Language
  After the biggest international opening weekend for any American comedy in history (more than $93 million), the picture is proving to have legs. For two weeks in a row, it has topped foreign box-office charts — trouncing Shrek, Spider-Man, even Harry Potter.

The Dinner Party Download™

A fast, funny digest of the week's most interesting news, cuisine, cocktails and culture.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories