Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• South Dakota executes convicted killer
  South Dakota executed convicted murderer Elijah Page Wednesday night by lethal injection. This was the first execution in the state in 60 years.7:20 a.m.
• Housing market lukewarm
  The Twin Cities metro area housing market continues to run lukewarm, according to new figures from the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors, which assessed the real estate market in the 13-county metro area. But by many accounts, the situation is not devastating for the local real estate market or the local economy.7:25 a.m.
• Republicans not the only ones taking heat on Iraq
  Some rank and file Democratic voters are expressing frustration that the Democratic majority in Congress isn't doing enough to end the war in Iraq.7:50 a.m.
• Handful of summer movies target kids
  The summer movie season is hitting full stride, and that includes many releases aimed at young people. MPR's Perry Finelli talks with Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Presidential Candidates to Address NAACP
  Democratic presidential candidates will address the NAACP annual convention in Detroit. They attend because they don't want to be in the position of explaining their absence, or somehow suggest that black voters can be taken for granted. The NAACP cannot endorse a candidate.
• A Global Taste Test of Foie Gras and Truffles
  China is poised to become a major player in the gourmet foods market, exporting homegrown foie gras, caviar and truffles. A panel of expert chefs puts China's culinary offerings to the test.
• Army Ranks See Imbalance in Iraq War Sacrifice
  Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of the 1st Armored Division, which is soon to deploy to Iraq, has two sons who are Army officers and have served in Iraq. Hertling says many in the military are recognizing, if not resenting, a growing imbalance of sacrifice in the war in Iraq.
• Iraqi Government Makes Mixed Progress on Reform
  President Bush discusses his administration's interim report on the progress of the war in Iraq. He says there has been satisfactory progress on eight of the benchmarks laid out by Congress, unsatisfactory progress on another eight, and mixed results on two others.
• Trade Deficit Shows Robust Business With China
  The U.S. trade deficit showed an expected widening, marked by the U.S. buying $20 billion more from China than it sold to China in the month of May. David Wessel, deputy Washington bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, discusses economic relations with China with Renee Montagne.
• Sen. Lamar Alexander Calls for Change on Iraq
  Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee is proposing to implement recommendations of the Iraq Study Group. The aim is to get a bipartisan consensus that President Bush can join with, and the Iraq Study Group is the basis for it. Alexander spoke with Renee Montagne.
• 'Time' Poll: Romney, Obama of Strongest Faith
  A new Time magazine poll finds that registered voters view Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Barack Obama as the presidential candidates with the strongest faith. Republicans and Democrats disagree about whether a president should use his faith to guide his decisions.
• Congress Considers Private-Equity Firms' Taxes
  Private-equity firms enjoy a very low tax rate on most of their profits. But the House and the Senate are considering legislation that would change how private-equity firms are taxed. A proposed Senate bill would raise the tax rate on firms go public to 35 percent from 15 percent.
• Changing Fortunes for Student Loans
  The House voted to slash $19 billion in federal subsidies to student lenders. Democratic backers say it will help students pay for college without building up huge debts. The bill increases grants for needy students and halves interest rates on federally backed loans.
• Letters: Service, Sacrifice, Mao, Etc.
  Listeners comment on the series about service and sacrifice during war time. Vietnam War veteran Charles Wetter says it's essential that all share the burden of war. Laura Reeve heard an error in the story about the French town Montargis.
• Miers Told to Defy House Judiciary Subpoena
  Harriet Miers, former White House counsel, was ordered not to appear for scheduled testimony before the House Judiciary Committee about the firings of federal prosecutors late last year. Earlier this week President Bush invoked executive privilege to prevent her answering questions.
• Sentencing Experts Perplexed by Libby Commutation
  The House Judiciary Committee investigates President Bush's commutation of the 30-month sentence of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. President Bush called the term "excessive" even though it was well within federal guidelines.
• Intelligence Officials to Discuss Terrorism
  Intelligence officials are meeting at the White House to discuss the nation's readiness for possible terrorist strikes. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff caused a stir when he said he had a "gut feeling" that the nation faces an increased risk of attack this summer.
• Lady Bird Johnson Dies at 94
  "Lady Bird" Johnson, the wife of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, died at 94. Though she rose to prominence as first lady, in the 34 years since her husband's death, Mrs. Johnson earned renown in her own right as a champion of beautifying the outdoors. She lived in Austin, Texas.
• Renovated White House Press Room Unveiled
  The White House press briefing room, which has been closed for renovations for almost a year, is open for business again. That means the journalists who cover the White House have returned to the West Wing.

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