Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Ventura says he's not running
  After months of stoking speculation, former Gov. Jesse Ventura finally put it to rest last night. He made the announcement on CNN's Larry King Live that he will not run for U.S. Senate this year.7:20 a.m.
• Barkley says he's running for Senate
  Former U.S. Senator Dean Barkley says he's almost certain he will enter Minnesota's Senate race today.7:25 a.m.
• Twins enter All-Star break as contenders
  The Twins have been much better this year than many baseball observers predicted. Will it last? Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talks with two contributors to Minnesota Public Radio's baseball blog "Bleacher Bums," Chris Dall and Steve Rudolph.7:50 a.m.
• Pennant race can be seen as morality play
  Baseball's All-Star Game takes place at Yankee Stadium Tuesday night, with the Twins' own Joe Mauer starting behind the plate for the American League. The Twins go into the break only 1.5 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central race. For commentator Peter Smith, this has become more than a pennant race. It's a morality play.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Cap With Babe Ruth's Initials Sells For $328 K
  One of three Ruth-worn caps known to exist was purchased by an anonymous phone bidder. Steve Inskeep has today's Last Word in business.
• McCain, Obama Offer Two Paths On Mideast Policy
  America's role as a mediator between Israelis and Palestinians has been a divisive issue on the campaign trail, with Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain differing in approaches to handling the tense political situation in the Middle East.
• Green Speed Dating: Finding Carbon-Neutral Love
  For those who are extremely passionate about the environment, finding a low-impact love connection can be tough. In Los Angeles, an affair billed as the first ever green speed-dating event tried to make it a little easier.
• Bush Offers Assurances On Economy, Energy Costs
  In a White House news conference Tuesday, President Bush tried to reassure Americans that the financial system is sound. He's urging Congress to pass laws to make it possible to shore up government-sponsored mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He also spoke about oil drilling and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Bernanke Says Inflation Probably Will Get Worse
  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified on Capitol Hill Tuesday in his first hearing with lawmakers since the Fed and the Treasury announced the plan to prop up mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He talked about problems facing the economy, and said the slowdown isn't expected to end anytime soon.
• Turmoil On Wall Street Over Housing Rescue Plan
  The Federal Reserve and Treasury Department took unprecedented steps over the weekend to boost confidence in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Among other things, they increased a government line of credit available to either company. How are the markets reacting?
• Democrats Receptive To Fix For Fannie, Freddie
  Democratic leaders are giving the Treasury Department's plans to rescue the giant mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a favorable reception on Capitol Hill. The plan, which includes extending the companies' total line of credit to $300 billion, would be attached to the housing bill now making its way through Congress.
• Market Anxiety Sends Bank Stocks Tumbling
  Stocks continued to plunge Tuesday after Monday's session of large declines for shares of regional banks. Share prices of Citigroup, Bank of America, JP Morgan, and finance and insurance giant AIG fell by up to 9 percent.
• Panel To Hear Testimony On Fannie-Freddie Plan
  Two proponents of the plan to prop up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson — testify before Congress on Tuesday to compel Congress to take action. Meantime, despite government assurances, stocks are plunging in the finance sector.
• At Tribune, Two Top Newspaper Execs Step Down
  Two top Tribune Co. officials have stepped down. Chicago Tribune editor Ann Marie Lipinski and Los Angeles Times publisher David Hiller have both resigned as Tribune cuts staff and shrinks its papers nationwide to save money.
• Analysis: Candidates' Minority Outreach
  Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain addresses the annual meeting of the NAACP on Wednesday in Cincinnati. His Democratic challenger, Barack Obama, spoke there Monday. Steve Inskeep talks with NPR News Analyst Juan Williams about the candidates and their reaching out to minority voters.
• EU Faces Off With Fishers Over Bluefin Tuna
  Responding to allegations of illegal fishing by French, Italian and Spanish fleets, the European Union has closed this year's Mediterranean bluefin tuna season two weeks early. Scientists say Mediterranean tuna stocks are severely over-fished.
• Ind. Mortgage Brokers Face Tougher Licensing Laws
  New lending laws in Indiana could put some mortgage brokerage firms out of business by the end of the month. The rules prevent brokerages from holding a license in the state without meeting an experience threshold and passing a mortgage law exam.
• Daily Messages Of Digital Inspiration From The Pope
  The Vatican is rolling out what you might call "Pope 2.0." Pope Benedict is the first pontiff to have a cell phone and a specially engraved iPod. Now he's the first to send text messages to the faithful.
• For Hire In Mexico City: 'Discreet Hit Man'
  When citizens of Mexico City need a hit man, they know where to find one. A Web site has an ad for a contract killer among the postings for appliances or apartments. The man offers a guarantee and describes himself as "ex-military hit man, professional and discreet."

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