Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• They're the first to go to college
  A quarter of Minnesota's college and university students are the first from their family to go on to higher education and this requires more from the schools to support them.4:49 p.m.
• How close can I get to the Xcel Energy Center?
  I'm not an RNC delegate. Can I get close to the convention site?4:55 p.m.
• Minnesota State Fair: What's that sound?
  The Minnesota State Fair has been going since last Thursday and it's always a feast for the senses. You might even say, sensory overload. Great people watching and visual distraction everywhere. The smells of the deep fryer, and the swine barn.4:57 p.m.
• Can I ride the bus like I usually do?
  Will I be able to ride my usual bus route during the Republican National Convention?5:55 p.m.
• Senate candidate Al Franken holds fundraiser in Denver
  DFL Senate candidate Al Franken in Denver at the Democratic National Convention. Franken held a fundraiser at a Denver law firm, but unlike some other candidates he will not be addressing the full convention.6:07 p.m.
• Not all Minnesotans are in Denver to support Obama
  Why is Hillary Clinton so popular with Republicans? The Republican National Committee today tried to counter the good feelings among Democrats in Denver by highlighting Democrats who are supporting John McCain.6:11 p.m.
• At 17, Minnesota delegate is Democrats' youngest
  David Gilbert-Pederson is only 17 right now, though he'll be old enough to vote this year... just barely.6:15 p.m.
• Silence and meditation amid convention chaos
  Just like the DNC, Meditate 08! brings in high-profile speakers to inspire attendees. But instead of roaring cheers, the sign of approval here is contemplative silence.6:25 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Michelle Obama: Family Is Focus Of Denver Speech
  Michelle Obama delivers the keynote speech on the first day of the Democratic convention. She'll focus on the story of her husband, Barack Obama, and their family. "I want people to understand who we are as a family, what our values are," she tells NPR.
• Dems Woo South With Conservative Candidates
  After winning special congressional elections in Louisiana and Mississippi earlier this year, Democrats are running hard in other longtime GOP strongholds in the Deep South. Democrats may be gaining ground with candidates who extol Christian values and tax cuts.
• With Olympics Over, China's Self-Confidence Soars
  China's 51 gold medals proved its status as a sports powerhouse, and the games showed off its modernity and organization. "China has stood up in the world," one expert says.
• Residents Of Gary, Ind., Look Up To One Another
  Fans of the Gary RailCats, a minor league baseball team from Gary, Ind., nominate people in their community who make a difference and aren't running for public office. Answers in the RailCats' stadium range from mothers to the team's general manager.
• Letters: Kids and the Olympics, Christian Science Church
  Listeners respond to the story on children who were staying up late to watch the Olympics and a Christian Scientist congregation's legal battle to tear down its church in Washington, D.C.
• Biden's Link To Credit-Card Firm Questioned
  Joe Biden's son Hunter received consulting fees from Delaware-based credit-card company MBNA from 2001 to 2005 for work on online banking issues, a time Sen. Biden helped the credit-card industry push through key legislation.
• Airlines Tweak Rules For Frequent-Flier Miles
  Airlines are making changes to their frequent-flier programs, introducing new fees and making it harder to get free tickets. Tim Winship, publisher of frequentflier.com, offers a strategy: Book that award ticket before the price goes up.
• Democrats Kick Off Convention
  Democrats will officially nominate Barack Obama as their presidential candidate. Publicly, they have been stressing party unity, but it's yet to be seen how Hillary Clinton will use her time on the stage, and just how wholehearted her support for Obama will appear to be.
• Obama Campaigns In Midwest
  While the Democratic Convention gets under way Monday, the party's headliner, Barack Obama, isn't in Denver. He's busy stumping across a handful of Midwestern battleground states. He held a town hall meeting in Davenport, Iowa.
• McCain Campaigns In Phoenix High School
  Republican John McCain urged students at a Phoenix high school to vote. He also received the endorsement of Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Daddy Yankee, who called the Republican presidential candidate a "fighter for the immigration issue."

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