Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Touring the wheat fields
  This week people from around the country are walking through wheat fields. The annual wheat quality tour provides a pre-harvest estimate of crop yields and that's of interest to more than just farmers.7:20 a.m.
• Civil rights lesson not lost on national history champ
  Sade Ogundiran, 17, of South High School took first place among hundreds of competitors at the National History Day competition in Maryland this summer.7:24 a.m.
• Drivers flexible in choosing routes after bridge collapse
  A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota takes a look at how traffic patterns -- and travel times -- have changed since the 35W bridge fell.7:53 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Microsoft is trying to repair the reputation of Windows Vista.8:20 a.m.
• Researchers find mild Alzheimer's very common
  A new Mayo Clinic study finds that a milder type of mental decline that often precedes Alzheimer's disease is much more common than previously thought.8:24 a.m.
• As gas prices rise, gas tax revenues fall
  The high price of gasoline isn't just putting a dent in consumers' pocketbooks -- it could also lead to some belt-tightening at the state Department of Transportation.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Dollar Takes Quarter Pounding In 'Big Mac Index'
  The Economist magazine compares the cost of a McDonald's Big Mac around the world to calculate what exchange rates should be and finds that major currencies are overvalued against the dollar. Correspondent John O'Sullivan explains the latest "Big Mac Index."
• One Last Pitch For Tim Drew
  Pitcher Tim Drew was a first-round pick in the major league draft 11 years ago. But his early promise as a ballplayer didn't last, not like that of his brothers, J.D. and Steve. Now, he's called it a career at 29.
• Storm Petrels Fill The Air
  Biologist Michael Andersen finds himself surrounded by half a million storm petrels tumbling through the air, and occasionally into his equipment.
• Unagi In A Can: Japan Serves Up 'Surging Eel'
  As summer heats up, you can crack open a cold one — or reel in a "Surging Eel," a new drink in Japan. The canned beverage is yellow and fizzy. It contains five vitamins and extracts from the head and bones of eel.
• S. African Leader Tries To Revive Zimbabwe Talks
  South African President Thabo Mbeki travels to Zimbabwe on Wednesday to meet with President Robert Mugabe in an attempt to inject new life into power-sharing negotiations. On Tuesday, Mbeki met with the opposition leader.
• McCain Campaign Targets Rocky Mountain States
  Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is back in Colorado, his second visit to the state in less than a week. Colorado is expected to be a key battleground in November, along with its Rocky Mountain neighbors. McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are courting Latino voters — especially those in the Rocky Mountain West.
• Los Angeles Limits New Fast Food Restaurants
  The Los Angeles City Council imposed a moratorium on new fast food franchises in south L.A., where healthy dining choices are slim and obesity among young children is a growing problem.
• Vermont's Unique Approach To Curbing Energy Use
  In 2000, Vermont created the public consulting firm Efficiency Vermont to help residents and businesses reduce energy use by providing financial aid and expertise. Eight years in, progress is slow but steady.
• Bennigan's Closes, Files For Bankruptcy Protection
  Bennigan's, the chain that brought Irish-styled taverns to suburban America, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, along with its sister chain, Steak and Ale. About 200 locations have already closed, taking many customers and employees by surprise.
• Food Scares Pack Financial Punch
  When the Food and Drug Administration issues an advisory about contaminated food, consumers listen — like with the salmonella scare that was blamed on tomatoes. When the problem is solved or the culprit turns out to be something else, it can take months or years for consumers to trust that food again.
• Sen. Stevens' Colleagues Express Shock, Sympathy
  News of Ted Stevens' indictment for allegedly failing to disclose services he received from a private company drew mixed reactions from his Senate colleagues. The Alaska senator, who faces seven felony counts, has allies on both sides of the aisle and has declared his innocence.
• Facing Indictment, Sen. Stevens Claims Innocence
  The nation's longest-serving Republican in Senate history and a major figure in Alaska politics is facing seven felony counts. Ted Stevens, 84, is accused of concealing more than a quarter million dollars in gifts from a powerful oil contractor, but he says he never knowingly submitted a false financial disclosure form.
• Democrats Call For Probe Of EPA Chief's Testimony
  Democratic senators are calling for a perjury investigation into comments made by the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. The senators claim EPA chief Stephen Johnson lied to Congress and folded under White House pressure on global warming policy.
• Karadzic Shuttled To Hague As Supporters Protest
  Former Bosnian Serb president Radovan Karadzic was extradited Wednesday to The Hague, where he will face war crimes charges. Stefan Niksic, a journalist with Nin — an independent weekly in Belgrade — talks with Renee Montagne.
• Airline Offers 5-Minute Showers
  Renee Montagne has today's Last Word in business.

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