Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Franken creates potent fundraising machine in advance of re-election bid
  Even though Sen. Al Franken is facing what's expected to be a tough re-election race in 2014, he's spending a lot of time helping other Democrats this election year.4:48 p.m.
• 'Searching for Sugar Man' tells story of Rodriguez, the unaware rock star
  A new movie "Searching for Sugar Man" opening in Minnesota this week tells the bizarre story of what happened decades later when some fans went on a hunt for their idol.4:53 p.m.
• Nolan, Cravaack rally faithful in 8th District
  After winning a hard-fought DFL primary in the closely watched 8th Congressional District, former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan found himself launched into a competition for attention with his general election opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack.5:20 p.m.
• Rybak budget increases spending for police, fire
  Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's proposal calls for a 1.7 percent property tax increase. He's also proposing to cut costs by reorganizing the city's Regulatory Services Department.5:24 p.m.
• Unique court lets tribal and state judges fight addiction together
  The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has joined with two northern Minnesota counties to create a "wellness court" that for the first time is letting tribal and district court judges act together to handle addiction and substance abuse.5:51 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Judge Won't Block Pa. Voter ID Law
  A Pennsylvania judge has refused to issue a preliminary injunction against a new state law requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls. Opponents say the requirement would disenfranchise many voters, especially the elderly and the poor, who might not have the proper ID. Supporters say that the law is needed to protect against voting fraud, in a state that will be crucial in the upcoming election.
• Could Ryan Lure Younger Voters To GOP?
  At 42, Paul Ryan is the nation's first vice presidential candidate from Generation X. Some college-age Republicans are thrilled to have him on the ticket, but the GOP has a tough challenge ahead if it is to pick up much of the younger vote from President Obama.
• Where Is The Liberal Ayn Rand?
  Melissa Block speaks to Beverly Gage, a history professor at Yale University, about her current article in Slate, "Why Is There No Liberal Ayn Rand?" Gage says the conservative movement has been developing a common intellectual heritage, but liberals have been moving in the opposite direction, to an increasingly diversified, rather than a shared, set of ideas.
• Saving Lives In Africa With The Humble Sweet Potato
  In Africa, a nutrition success story: Swapping orange sweet potatoes for white ones is improving the health of children by boosting vitamin A levels. Researchers are now trying to duplicate their success with other crops.
• Analysis: Congress Is Least Productive In Decades
  An analysis by USA Today says this Congress may be the least productive since the end of World War II. Sixty-one bills became law so far this year, 90 bills last year. So it's not surprising that Congress' approval rating is 10 percent.
• Syrian Jets Fire On Hospital, As Fighting Rages
  Syrian air force jets fired missiles at a hospital in Aleppo, amid continued heavy fighting in the country's largest city. Rebels claimed responsibility for another bombing in Damascus. Meanwhile, a U.N. envoy met Syrian officials in the capital, pleading for greater access for humanitarian aid workers in the war-torn country.
• Japan Looks For Ways To Keep Communities Intact
  Japanese officials are experimenting with ways to help people displaced by last year's earthquake and tsunami. One idea is to create parallel towns where everyone from the dog-catcher to the schoolteacher can shift to one town while their old village is being rebuilt. It's a way of keeping communities intact. But after more than a year, many of the affected communities have already scattered.
• Megan Rapinoe On Winning Gold, Soccer's Future
  Melissa Block talks to U.S. women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe about winning a gold medal in London, the future of the profession, and coming out before the start of the Olympics.
• India's Planned Mars Mission Irks Critics
  India turned 65 on Wednesday, and amid the great pomp and ceremony of National Day celebrations, the prime minister announced plans for a mission to Mars. India plans to send a research satellite to the Red Planet in November next year — at a cost of $82 million. Critics say the money would be better spent on the nation's creaky infrastructure, and connecting the 400 million Indians who are not on the national electricity grid.
• Tivoli Gardens Beckons On Denmark's Summer Nights
  It opened in the middle of the 19th century and has a wooden roller coaster that's nearly a century old. Set in the center of Copenhagen, the amusement park is still a favorite with the Danes.

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