Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• GOP convention still needs 1,000 volunteers
  The Minneapolis-St. Paul host committee still needs more than 1,000 volunteers to work during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Meanwhile in Denver, so many volunteers have signed up for the Democratic National Convention that thousands will likely be turned away.7:20 a.m.
• Protesters want to change time of RNC march
  A group of Iraq war protesters asked a federal judge today to allow a protest march during the Republican National Convention at a time later than St. Paul city officials have proposed.7:24 a.m.
• Summer is a good opportunity to watch plays being born
  Performing arts organizations usually slow down during the summer. But in Minneapolis, the warm weather months are also excellent opportunities for audiences to watch new plays in the process of being born.8:24 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• France's Model Health Care For New Mothers
  Generous paid maternity leave, free in-home nurse visits, subsidized child care — sound like a mother's paradise? It's just regular care in France. Two American mothers find that the U.S. health care system can't compete with France's model standard.
• Carry-On Books To Take You Up, Up And Away
  Nancy Pearl confronts one of her worst nightmares — being stuck on a plane without a good book to read — by analyzing what makes a perfect tarmac book. Here are her nine picks for books to squeeze into your carry-on luggage.
• Latinos Crucial To McCain's Western Strategy
  Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is courting the growing Latino population in Western swing states. His strategy includes relying on local groups, such as Nevada's Latinas for McCain, to help get out the vote.
• McCain Campaign Focuses On Economic Message
  Just a week after shake-ups in his management staff, Republican John McCain's campaign is showing signs of sharper focus. His economic message is being reinforced with daily conference calls and high-profile supporters appearing on morning TV news shows.
• Both Obama, McCain Vow To Lower Taxes, But How?
  Both presumptive presidential nominees propose to extend President Bush's tax cuts. Wealthy Americans stand to lose — or gain — the most, depending on who's elected. Steve Inskeep talks with NPR Economics Correspondent John Ydstie about the tax plans proposed by Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama.
• Israelis Propose Laws To Punish Terrorists' Families
  Following last week's bulldozer rampage in Jerusalem, some Israeli politicians want to pass laws that penalize families of people who launch attacks. While some Jewish lawmakers say it's necessary for Israel to toughen laws, critics say the proposals are about revenge.
• Letters: Shakespeare, Physicians, Credit, Kindle
  Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne read listeners' letters.
• Delays Costly In Courthouse Slaying Suspect's Trial
  The trial of Brian Nichols, the man accused of killing four people while escaping from a Georgia county jail in 2005, resumes Thursday. Many people thought his case should have been wrapped up long ago. But Georgia's defense fund ran out of money — making the trial run into a number of delays.
• Airlines Urge Customers To Oppose Oil Speculation
  The CEOs of 12 major U.S. air carriers have written a letter to their frequent fliers. They're asking customers to pressure Congress about oil market speculation. Airline executives say financial speculation is partly responsible for the increase in oil prices that's crippling their industry.
• Standard and Poor's Tumbles Into Bear Territory
  The Standard and Poor's 500 Index slipped into bear-market territory Wednesday. It's down more than 20 percent from its all-time high.

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