Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• In St. Paul, an ancient Irish sport preserved on the field
  A couple of times a week at the McMurray Fields in St. Paul, a group of enthusiasts is hard at work playing hurling, a game that involves sticks, a ball, and a certain amount of raw courage.6:25 a.m.
• MnDOT closes Highway 43 bridge over Mississippi at Winona
  The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed the Highway 43 bridge over the Mississippi River at Winona.6:50 a.m.
• PUC weighs decision on Big Stone power plant
  The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will decide tomorrow whether to approve transmission lines to bring electricity from a coal-fired power plant from South Dakota into Minnesota.6:55 a.m.
• Obama's challenge: unite the party
  A big question in the Democratic presidential race now is will Hillary Clinton supporters unite behind Barack Obama?7:20 a.m.
• Long line is fine for Obama faithful
  Officials estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 people stood in a line that snaked through the heart of St. Paul. Many in the line said they were drawn to the event because they felt it was a chance to be part of history.7:25 a.m.
• Obama meets with Clinton supporters
  After claiming his party's nomination in front of an enthusiastic crowd at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, Sen. Obama met with a small group of Minnesota's Clinton supporters. One of the people at that meeting was Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher. She says it was a bittersweet moment.7:40 a.m.
• Study: Heavy construction materials, added pavement brought down 35W bridge
  The 35W bridge was over-weighted with concrete pavement and construction materials, causing an under-sized gusset plate to fail, according to a study conducted by University of California-Berkeley structural engineering professor Hassan Astaneh.7:45 a.m.
• Some Clinton supporters became Obama supporters
  Polls taken last year at this time showed Hillary Clinton with a commanding 15 point lead over any of her Democratic rivals. But the tide turned at different points for different voters.7:50 a.m.
• Standing at the back of the line, but never losing hope
  As people piled into the Xcel Energy Center to catch a glimpse of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the line out the door kept getting longer. At one point, it stretched for more than a mile and a half. For people at the end of line, they never gave up hope.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Strategists: Race Is Over, But Obama Needs Clinton
  Now that the Democratic presidential nominating contests are over, Barack Obama says he is the presumptive nominee. Hillary Clinton has not pulled out of the race, though. Strategist Mark Mellman, a Democrat, says there's no doubt the race is over, but Republican Tucker Eskew says Obama needs Clinton's support.
• China Heeds U.S. Economist's Food Warnings
  One reason often cited for soaring prices is increasing demand for meat and dairy products in China and India, the world's most populous countries. A U.S. economist warns that China could soon become one of the world's biggest grain importers, and China's administration has embraced his message of environmental sustainability.
• Judge to Rule on U.S. Wrestling Coach from Poland
  A federal judge in Phoenix is expected to rule Wednesday on the fate of a top U.S. Olympic wrestling coach. Roman Wroclawski is being held at the request of the Polish government, which accuses him of falsifying loan documents. But Wroclawski and his lawyer say the Poles just don't want him coaching the U.S. team.
• Obama Clinches Nomination; Clinton Plots Next Step
  The race for the Democratic presidential nomination will go down in the history books. Barack Obama added another chapter Tuesday by securing enough delegates to claim the party's presidential nomination. Still, Hillary Clinton hasn't conceded defeat. NPR's Don Gonyea and David Greene reflect on the primaries and look ahead.
• As Primary Race Ends, Next Contest Is in Full Swing
  Barack Obama collected enough delegates Tuesday to claim the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The Illinois senator is making history as the first black presumptive presidential nominee of a major party. But Hillary Clinton has yet to concede defeat and says she's open to filling the vice presidential slot on the party's ticket.
• Maryland Superdelegate Van Hollen Backs Obama
  Day by day, Barack Obama has been picking up support from uncommitted superdelgates. Now that the Illinois senator is the presumptive nominee, Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is pledging his support.
• Discovery's Proliferation Marks Cable TV Trend
  Discovery Channel isn't just one cable channel. It's 13 channels, including TLC, Discovery Kids and, starting Wednesday, Planet Green. It's evidence of an increasingly common business model in cable television — spinoffs of successful cable channels.
• Iran's Leader Resumes Vitriol at Food Summit
  World leaders are in Rome for the United Nations food conference. The summit is supposed to give participants an opportunity to deal with soaring food prices. But the attendance of controversial leaders from Iran and Zimbabwe has been distracting. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli is in Rome.
• Bernanke Watchful as Dollar's Slide Fuels Inflation
  As the U.S. dollar continues its slide against other currencies, inflation is making an unwelcome return. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke this week spoke about what a weakening dollar could mean for the economy.
• Olmert Addresses U.S. Pro-Israel Lobbyists
  Under fire at home and facing corruption charges, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is visiting Washington, D.C. He was honored at a dinner Tuesday by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. On Wednesday, he meets with President Bush.
• Cars By Toyota, Honda Beat F-150 Sales in May
  For years, the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. hasn't been a car; it's been Ford's F-150 pickup. But automakers report that in May, fuel-efficient cars made by Toyota and Honda outsold the F-150 for the first time in more than 15 years. Overall, auto sales skidded 10 percent last month.
• Anheuser-Busch Takeover Talk Shakes St. Louis
  People inside Anheuser-Busch say a takeover of the St. Louis brewer by Belgium's InBev is possible — though the company is still not commenting. Talk of the company's takeover has people in St. Louis on edge. The brewer is part of the city's identity, and not just as a major employer.
• U.K. Brewer Plugs Earth-Friendly Beer
  The U.K.'s Adnam's brewing company says its new brew, called "East Green," is made in a way that reduces potential damage to the environment.
• Princeton Honors Colbert for 'Understandable Vanity'
  Princeton University awarded "The Great Princeton Class of 2008 Understandable Vanity Award" to Stephen Colbert. In accepting the honor, the faux conservative Comedy Central host told graduates that while they may want to change the world, "Please don't do that, OK? Some of us like the way things are going now."
• McCain Previews Experience-Over-Youth Strategy
  Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain had a rally Tuesday in Kenner, La., where he acknowledged that Democratic Barack Obama would be a formidable opponent. McCain previewed his likely campaign mantra that paints him as the experienced candidate compared with Obama's youthfulness.

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