Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Weather with Mark Seeley
  Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talks with University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley about the latest weather news.4:00 a.m.
• In Minneapolis, a rift opens over who controls police budget
  Already over budget, the Minneapolis Police Department is being asked to absorb more of the cost for policing public housing sites.7:20 a.m.
• Locals praise, and question, Lake Vermilion state park proposal
  As state officials lead a tour of what could become Minnesota's newest state park, the DNR and some local officials are excited about the idea. But it's far from a sure thing.7:25 a.m.
• Economist predicts a South Dakota boom
  There's a shift in the economic base in South Dakota. The move is from primarily agriculture to the sciences and technology.7:50 a.m.
• Profiles of the five women artists
  "In Her Own Right: Minnesota's First Generation of Women Artists," showcases the work of five important Minnesota artists. Here are biographies of these women.7:55 a.m.
• Growing up on Harry Potter
  On Saturday, at one minute past midnight, the waiting will end for millions of fans around the world. The seventh and final Harry Potter book will be released. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with some Minnesotans who have been reading the series since the very first book came out in 1998.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Auto Workers Union Preps for Detroit Showdown
  On Friday, the United Auto Workers begins some of the toughest contract talks in its seven-decade history. Past UAW leaders went to the bargaining table with a list of new demands. These days, the union just hopes to protect what it has.
• Keeping the Terrorism Fight at Home
  Does an effective fight against terrorism require offensives beyond U.S. borders? Richard Haass of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses the Bush administration's strategy and other approaches to fighting the war on terror.
• Viacom Chair Sumner Redstone at Odds With Heir
  Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone and his daughter and heir-apparent Shari Redstone are at odds, reports The Wall Street Journal. The rift is raising questions about future control of the media empire, which includes CBS Corp.
• What Does the Rise of the Dow Really Mean?
  The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 14,000 for the first time. But does 14,000 actually mean anything? David Leonhardt, columnist for The New York Times, doesn't think so, since the price of everything rises due to inflation.
• No Deadline Set as N. Korea Nuclear Talks Break
  Six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue end for now, but negotiators are unable to agree on a firm deadline for N. Korea to disable nuclear facilities after the shutdown of its top reactor. Envoys reconvene in September.
• Grocer Whole Foods Sells Designer Bags
  Whole Foods in several cities were mobbed with customers lining up to buy limited edition canvas bags with the message: "I'm not a plastic bag." They're created by fashion designer Anya Hindmark, whose bags sell for more than $1,500. The grocer is limiting her bags to three per customer.
• Farm Bill Offers Aid to Fruit, Vegetable Growers
  Fruit and vegetable farmers are due to get more of the help that growers of cotton and corn have had for decades when the Congress updates farm programs, including crop subsidies.
• Mich. Cemetery Draws Golfers
  Some golfers have taken an interest in a cemetery in Washington Township, Mich. The graveyard is apparently not a bad place to practice. And a woman named Erin Robb found about 700 golf balls amid the graves.
• Honda Ad Campaign Mistakenly Awards Millions
  A Honda dealer in Roswell, New Mexico tried an ad campaign involving $50,000 scratch-off tickets. Scratch off the ticket that came in the mail; win $1,000. Imagine the surprise at Roswell Honda when they discovered all 50,000 tickets were winners.
• Health Care Mediators Beset with Difficult Choices
  Spending on health care has skyrocketed for employers and the average American family. Len Nichols, an economist at the New America Foundation, says reducing reliance on employers for health care requires a commitment from government.
• Doping Clouds Tour de France Coverage
  Tour de France yellow jersey leader Michael Rasmussen will be dropped from the Danish team for not informing Danish anti-doping authorities of his training whereabouts. A German rider's positive drug test prompted two German TV networks to halt coverage of the tour.
• Vick's Shoe Deal Survives Dogfighting Charges
  Michael Vick of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons is one of four men accused of a role in an illegal dogfighting ring. Endorser Nike says it will continue its deal with Vick, but will delay the release of a new shoe.
• Senate Finance Backs Expanding S-CHIP
  The Senate Finance Committee approves a bill expanding a children's health insurance program that helps provide benefits to children of the working poor — those who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little for private insurance.
• Calif. Program Helps Rid Triggers of Asthma
  Scientists believe common irritants found in homes across the country can trigger asthma attacks. One program in south Los Angeles aims to help parents of asthmatic children.
• Pakistan High Court Rejects Judge's Suspension
  Pakistan's Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, who was suspended in March by President Pervez Musharraf on charges of misconduct. Musharraf's move was widely criticized and sparked pro-democracy efforts.

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