Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Terrorism law predates 9/11
  Salah Ahmed, one of the two Somali-Americans facing terrorism charges, is expected to appear in federal court in Minneapolis Thursday for a detention hearing. Ahmed and Abdifatah Isse are charged with providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to "kill, kidnap, maim and injure."7:25 a.m.
• Sotomayor questioned on 1987 Minnesota case
  At her Senate confirmation hearing, U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has faced hours of questions about her 2001 speech "A Latina judge's voice." In addition to the oft-quoted passage about "wise Latina" women, the speech contains a reference to Minnesota.7:40 a.m.
• Art Hounds: Puppets in Bemidji, Osmo on clarinet, Music and Movies
  This week's Art Hounds welcome In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre to Bemidji, celebrate the Walker's Summer Music and Movies, and talk up Osmo Vanska's lunchtime clarinet concert.8:25 a.m.
• Outdoors money paves way for state's largest forest preservation deal
  For $36 million, the state gets permanent land rights and ensures public access to more than 187,000 acres of privately owned forest land scattered over seven counties in northern Minnesota.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Clinton Emerges, Reasserting Her Diplomatic Stature
  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was sidelined in recent weeks by a broken elbow, and some observers say, was eclipsed on the world stage by President Obama. But Clinton has emerged to assert her diplomatic role in a series of recent appearances and an upcoming trip to India and Thailand.
• Nopalitos: Taming The Prickly Pear Cactus
  Some summer foods beg to be eaten: fresh tomatoes, sweet corn on the cob. But one virtually screams, "Leave me alone!" Nopalitos are the pads of the prickly pear cactus. In Mexico and the American Southwest, they're a staple at farmers' markets.
• House Committees To Release Health Bills
  Work continues on Capitol Hill to overhaul the nation's health care system. A Senate committee on Wednesday became the first panel to complete work on a health bill. Meanwhile, three House committees launch their formal drafting sessions Thursday.
• Senate Democrats Push Hate Crimes Bill
  The Obama administration wants Congress to expand federal statutes against hate crimes to include protection for gays and women. The House already passed a bill. The Senate is trying to add it to the big defense policy bill on the floor, despite objections from Republicans.
• Sears Tower Changes Name to Willis Tower
  The 110-story skyscraper in Chicago has been known as the Sears Tower since it opened in 1973. It will now be called the Willis Tower. Willis Group Holdings is a London-based financial services company. It got the naming rights as part of an agreement to lease 140,000 square feet of space.
• Foreclosures Up As Unemployment Soars
  New figures show the number of people in trouble with their mortgages continues to rise. According to foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac Inc, more than 336,000 households received at least one foreclosure-related notice in June. That's 33 percent higher compared to June of last year.
• Ill. Officials Want Tougher Cemetery Regulations
  The governor of Illinois says he's behind the call for tougher regulations for cemeteries, in light of the grave selling scandal at a historically black cemetery in suburban Chicago. Investigators continue to identify the remains of as many as 300 bodies said to have been dug up at Burr Oak Cemetery so their burial plots could be resold.
• Sotomayor Back For Another Round Of Questions
  Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor returns to the Senate Judiciary committee Thursday for what is expected to be her fourth and final day on the witness stand. There were more questions about abortion on Wednesday.
• Govenors To Discuss State Ailments
  The National Governors Association meets this weekend in Biloxi, Miss. These are not easy times for state governments. Tax income is shrinking, and many states are cutting services and laying off employees. Governor Haley Barbour hosts the conference, and he talks with Renee Montagne about issues facing state leaders.
• Health Plan Issues Divide Democrats, Republicans
  Senators Christopher Dodd and Orrin Hatch say they are committed to finding middle ground on overhauling health care. Dodd is filling in as the chairman of the Health Education and Labor Committee, while Ted Kennedy is treated for brain cancer. Hatch has been a Republican leader on health care for years. The two senators talk with Steve Inskeep about what issues need to be resolved with the health plan.
• Turnberry Hosts British Open
  The British Open golf tournament is underway in Turnberry, Scotland. Ireland's Padraig Harrington is the defending champion, but all eyes are on Tiger Woods.
• First Black President To Address NAACP Convention
  President Obama delivers the keynote address at the NAACP's convention Thursday night in New York. It's the 100th birthday of the nation's oldest civil rights organziation.
• What's Standing In The Way Of Change In D.C.?
  The progressive advocacy group MoveOn.org helped bring the Democrats to power. Now it's challenging Democrats, and the President, to stick to a liberal approach on issues from climate change to health care. Justin Ruben, the group's executive director, tells Steve Inskeep that the president needs an engaged, progressive movement to push him if he backs down.
• Collection: Mandela's Favorite African Folktales
  Nelson Mandela celebrates his 91st birthday on Saturday. And in time for the festivities, there's a new audio book of the South African leader's favorite African folktales. Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg, and Matt Damon are some of the people who lent their voices to the project. Actress Alfre Woodard, who directed the readings, and South African musician Vusi Mahsela, talk with Renee Montagne about the collection.
• Disagreement Over Plan Giving Fed More Oversight
  The Obama administration has proposed giving the Federal Reserve Board more authority for overseeing companies too big to fail. A group of investors said Wednesday that an independent board, and not the Federal Reserve, should be looking out for systemic risks to the financial system.

Resources

• Future Tense®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories

Become a Sponsor