Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Consumer groups oppose new food labeling bill
  A federal food labeling proposal in the U.S. Senate is drawing criticism from Minnesota consumer groups.6:24 a.m.
• Minnesota Weather with Mark Seeley
  Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley about record high temperatures and our current heat wave.6:54 a.m.
• Entenza apologizes over research into Hatch's background
  DFL Attorney General candidate Matt Entenza says he's horrified and embarrassed by revelations that a Chicago firm he hired dug for dirt on current DFL Attorney General Mike Hatch. He says he will apologize to Hatch, his fellow Democrat, the party's endorsed candidate for governor.7:20 a.m.
• South Dakota fields look like winter in July
  Farmers and ranchers from central and western part of state are angry about the fifth year in a row without a crop due to drought. They're selling off livestock because there's no grass to graze. Gov. Mike Rounds asked for disaster declaration for 20 counties and the federal government said farmers could cut hay and graze cattle on land set aside for conservation programs.7:24 a.m.
• Working at Ford is a family affair
  The Ford assembly plant in St. Paul will close for good within the next couple of years -- after employing thousands of people over time. For many of those people, working at Ford has been a family affair -- with spouses, parents, children and other relatives on the payroll at the same time. We meet one such family.7:40 a.m.
• Finding places for new plays
  Despite the Twin Cities' active writing community, there are relatively few outlets for local playwrights to see their new work on stage. So how and where do they get their work produced? While playwrights haven't given up on established theaters, more and more they're doing it themselves.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Visiting the Prison at Guantanamo Bay
  Senior News Analyst Ted Koppel talks with Renee Montagne about his recent three-day visit to the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Hundreds of detainees, many picked up in Afghanistan, are held at the facility.
• A Dance Host for Cruise Ships -- and Fun
  When ladies of a certain age take a cruise, they're often left without a dance partner. That's where Richard Craig comes in. He and his fellow dance hosts bridge gaps both cultural and physical.
• Rembrandt's Unsparing Eye
  Museums throughout the world are observing the 400th anniversary of the birth of Rembrandt. The 17th-century Dutchman was the leading portrait painter of his day, and is celebrated for his unsparing look at the human experience.
• Obama Works to Win Evangelicals Back for Democrats
  Illinois Sen. Barack Obama talks with Renee Montagne about his call for Democrats to reach out to evangelical Christians. Republicans have long laid claim to that powerful voting block. He believes that Democrats can win them back with issues like the drive to end poverty.
• Israel, Hezbollah Keep Attacks Coming
  The violence involving Israel and Lebanon continues. Israel has also dropped leaflets on Beirut suburbs urging residents to avoid Hezbollah offices. Hezbollah continues to fire rockets at Israeli towns. Israel began its campaign against Lebanon on Wednesday, after Hezbollah fighters kidnapped two Israeli soldiers.
• Hezbollah Rockets Rain on Israeli Towns
  Hezbollah militants continue to fire rockets from southern Lebanon into Israeli towns and cities across the border. Two Israelis were killed, and more than 100 wounded, in Katyusha rocket attacks on Thursday.
• Beirut Suffers Through Third Day of Air Attacks
  Israeli air attacks and artillery shelling are being felt across Lebanon and its capital, Beirut. In addition to the attacks, the air, sea and land blockade Israel has placed on Lebanon appears to be holding.
• Passionate Debate Precedes Voting Rights Renewal
  Amid grumbling by some southern conservatives and emotional speeches from black Democrats, the renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed easily in the House Thursday.
• Former CIA Officer Plame Sues VP Cheney
  Valerie Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, have filed a civil lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney, and a handful of other top-level administration officials. They claim that Cheney endangered their lives and violated their privacy when he allegedly exposed Plame as a CIA operative.
• Middle East Conflict Shadows G-8 Summit
  President Bush arrives in St. Petersburg, ahead of the G-8 summit there. The president paid his respects at the city's World War II memorial, and met with Russian civil-society activists. But talk of fighting in the Middle East threatens to dominate G-8 meetings.
• Middle East Worried by Israel-Lebanon Violence
  Walid Kazziha talks with Steve Inskeep about the regional reaction to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Kazziha is a Professor of political science at the American University in Cairo. Arab League foreign ministers are to meet in emergency session Saturday in Cairo.
• Actor, Comedian Red Buttons Dies
  Red Buttons died Thursday. He was 87. The red-haired entertainer won an Oscar for his acting, but first made his name with comedy. He was born Aaron Chwatt in New York City. He won an Oscar for the film Sayonara, in which he played a soldier in Japan after World War II.
• Gauging the Effect of Debt Relief on Africa
  Wealthy Western nations promised at last year's G-8 summit to forgive the debt of many African nations. Renee Montagne speaks to Richard Dowden, director of the Royal African Society, about what effect the promise has had.
• Middle East Tensions Keep Oil Prices Pumped Up
  The latest fighting in the Middle East pushed oil prices above $78 a barrel overnight. The spike is a reflection of traders' fears that violence in the Middle East could spiral out of control, possibly disrupting oil supplies.
• SEC Fights Financial Scams Targeting Seniors
  Senior citizens are prime targets for investment fraud and abusive sales practices. Aware of these vulnerabilities, the Securities and Exchange Commission plans to devote more resources to busting scams that prey on seniors. Jim Zarroli reports.

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