Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• South Dakota landscape a feast for the eyes
  It's a picturesque time of the year in Minnesota. The sun is warm; flowers are blooming. But commentator Peter Smith says we're not the only people in this part of the country living amid beauty.6:50 a.m.
• Protest groups seek to avoid 2004 Boston DNC problems
  Republicans aren't alone in facing protests during their national convention. Protesters in Colorado have sued Denver over protest routes during the Democratic National Convention in August.7:20 a.m.
• High gas prices have scooter sales booming
  More than 50 years after the first scooter craze occured in Italy, scooters are becoming popular in the U.S. as an economical way to travel.7:45 a.m.
• A few regulations guide Scooter use
  Scooter sales are on the rise, as people are feeling the pinch of high gas prices. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Patrick Hahn about regulations surrounding Scooter use. Hahn handles information and education about motorcycles and mopeds at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• L.A. Company Buys TV's Dance Classic 'Soul Train'
  The New York Times reports that the classic TV dance show Soul Train has a new owner. A Los Angeles production company bought the franchise from its creator, Don Cornelius. The new owners say they aim to bring what Spike Lee once called an urban music "time capsule" into the 21st century.
• Oil Trading at $134 a Barrel
  Oil is now trading at about $134 a barrel, down from the most recent record of just under $140 a barrel. Market reports say traders are caught between a weaker dollar — which would push up the price of oil — and expectations that Saudi Arabia will increase output, which could lower prices.
• Software Lets Senders Assign Value to E-Mails
  Seriosity, a Silicon Valley startup, thinks economics will help people learn which of their e-mails have value. The company has created software that lets a sender attach value to an e-mail to denote how important it is. The idea is to get people to send messages that are truly important.
• India's TV Satirists Poke Fun at Politics, Family
  Until recently, it was hard for political comedians in India to lampoon their own government. Now, an Indian comic who usually targets American politicians is going after the leaders of his own country — even though he's facing an uphill battle.
• Foreign Airlines Prosper While U.S. Carriers Struggle
  While U.S. airlines are struggling with rising fuel costs and customer complaints, foreign airlines are doing quite well — some even very well. David Field, an editor with Airline Business Magazine, talks about why international airlines are prospering while American carriers aren't.
• Senators Reportedly Got Favors from Countrywide
  Sens. Kent Conrad and Chris Dodd may have benefited from VIP treatment when they refinanced mortgages with Countrywide Financial several years ago. Portfolio magazine cites corporate e-mails that listed both senators as "friends of Angelo." That is, friends of Angelo Mozilo, Countrywide's CEO. The senators say they didn't expect special treatment.
• Tiny Town of Gorda, Calif., Has Great Big Gas Prices
  The town of Gorda, Calif., is becoming famous for its high gasoline prices: $6 a gallon — for regular unleaded. According to AAA, California has the nation's priciest gas at $4.60, about 50 cents more than the U.S. average — but Gorda's remote coastal location drives its prices even higher.
• Wives of McCain, Obama: Hurting or Helping?
  In American politics, first ladies have long been an important fixture. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, talks about the roles Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain are playing in their husbands' presidential campaigns.
• Tax Rebates: Are Consumers Spending or Saving?
  Critics were skeptical of President Bush's plan to give taxpayers rebates in hopes of stimulating the economy. It's been almost two months since the first checks were processed. Wall Street Journal economics editor David Wessel says people appear to be spending the money, but it won't be enough to prevent a recession.
• Obama Wins Gore Endorsement, Plans Iraq Visit
  Former Vice President Al Gore announced that he is backing Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Monday, highlighting Obama's opposition to the Iraq war. Obama now says he'll visit Iraq and Afghanistan before the general election.
• Burlington Residents Hunker Down as River Swells
  In Iowa, devastating floodwaters are beginning to inch their way down the southern part of the state. The next city that's in jeopardy of being swamped is the railroad hub of Burlington. Residents are digging in to try to save their town.
• Report on Pakistani Smugglers Fuels Nuke Worries
  A former U.N. arms inspector's report on a smuggling ring headed by A.Q. Khan, the former head scientist for Pakistan's nuclear program, says Khan and his partners obtained detailed designs for a sophisticated nuclear weapon in hopes of selling the plans — which may have been passed to Iran, North Korea or terrorist groups.
• Octogenarian Gay-Rights Pioneers Wed in California
  In California, two elderly women were one of the first same-sex couples to marry in the state. Their marriage begins a busy week for county registrars around the Golden State. The state's Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage took effect Monday.
• Woods Clinches 14th Major, Rests Injured Knee
  Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open in a nail-biting "sudden death" playoff that followed an 18-hole playoff that ended in a draw Monday. Woods overcame Rocco Mediate to win his 14th major. Now, he says he'll take a break from golf to rest his injured knee.
• Testing Politicians' Claims in the Energy Debate
  As the weather heats up, so does the rhetoric on Capitol Hill about energy prices. Republicans blame Democrats for blocking domestic oil and gas production. Democrats blame President Bush for $4-a-gallon gasoline, and say the country should invest in alternative energy.

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