Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• St. Paul police chief vows changes at crime lab; convictions at risk
  St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith vowed to make changes at his department's troubled crime lab Thursday, after lab employees testified in court that the lab has no standard procedures for how to test evidence for the presence of illegal drugs.6:20 a.m.
• Climatologist Seeley talks about the latest climate forecast
  MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley about the climate outlook for temperatures and preciptition in August and September. He says it looks like warmer than normal temperatures will continue for the entire state. The southeastern part of Minnesota is forecast to be dryer than normal.6:55 a.m.
• Suburbs see shifting racial mix
  The Twin Cities suburbs are more diverse than you might think. A study released today shows communities in the first and second rings surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul are seeing rapid changes in their racial makeup.7:20 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Obama Courts Fla. Seniors, An Important Voting Bloc
  At Century Village in West Palm Beach, Fla., President Obama made an appeal to senior citizen voters. It's a group he struggled with in the 2008 election. Seniors make up about a fifth of the state's population but nearly a third of registered voters.
• Public Pensions Are About To Look Less Healthy
  Numbers from state and local governments suggest their public pension plans are underfunded by about $1 trillion. New accounting rules are about to make that gap between what they owe and what they have on hand look bigger — much bigger, in some cases.
• Activists Fear Brazil's Triumph Over HIV Has Fizzled
  When other countries were struggling to deal with the HIV epidemic, Brazil openly acknowledged the problem and launched aggressive campaigns to raise awareness and treat the disease. But activists now say say there are no longer organized HIV prevention efforts.
• Gunman Kills Moviegoers In Aurora, Colo.
  Steve Inskeep talks to Isaac Ramos, a witness to the theater shooting in Aurora, Colo.
• Jindal's Story Intrigues, But Can It Get Him A VP Nod?
  Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is an Indian-American with a compelling life story. At 41, he's already had a successful political career. He could also add some buzz to the GOP ticket. But his 2009 moment in the spotlight has some Republicans worrying whether he's ready to be vice president.
• Gunman Opens Fire In Colorado Theater
  A gunman opened fire early Friday at a movie theater in a Denver suburb, killing at least 12 people and leaving dozens more injured, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said. Steve Inskeep talks to Chayyiel Jackson about the shooting.
• Ford Recalls Some 2013 Escapes
  A problem with a fuel line could lead to an engine fire, the company warned. The recall affects 2013 Escape models with 1.6-liter engines. Ford will deliver a loaner vehicle to owners and take the Escapes to its dealers for repair.
• GM Retirees Face Crucial Pension Deadline
  More than 40,000 GM retirees must decide by 5 p.m. Friday whether to take a buyout of their pensions. If they don't, responsibility for their pensions shifts to a private company. Financial planners have been working overtime to try to help people make a decision.
• Tough Austerity Plan Incites Spanish Protesters
  Tens of thousands of Spaniards staged angry protests this week against new cutbacks that represent the biggest single dose of austerity in Spain's democratic history. Public employees will suffer pay cuts as part of a nearly $80 billion package of cuts and tax hikes. New austerity measures are the conditions attached to a European bailout for Spanish banks.
• Founder Of Famed Soul Food Restaurant Dies
  Sylvia Woods founded the famed Harlem soul food restaurant that carries her name in 1962. She died Thursday — the same day New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was to celebrate her legacy. Woods was 86.

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