Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Who will pay when the lawsuits begin?
  Some metro area attorneys say families of the I-35W bridge victims have approached them about filing lawsuits. Whether victims can obtain compensation will depend largely on which entity is found to be at fault for the bridge's failure.6:40 a.m.
• Improvements to Twin Cities roadways are underway
  The Minnesota Department of Transportation is making changes to Highway 280, the main detour for Interstate 35W, which is closed near the site of the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis.7:20 a.m.
• Drought is straining trees in Minneapolis
  Despite recent rains, trees are still suffering from the drought in the region. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with the city forester from Minneapolis about how his department is trying to keep the trees healthy.7:50 a.m.
• Meet the lyricist
  Meet Stephen Burt, our poet turned lyricist, who wrote the words for our Songs from Scratch project.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Greek Island of Crete Suffers Intense Heat, Drought
  Scorching temperatures plagued Crete this summer, bringing wildfires, water shortages and electricity blackouts. It's a first-hand lesson in how a slight shift in weather patters can cause big problems, turning parts of the island into desert.
• Padilla Case Set for Closing Arguments
  Closing arguments begin in the trial of Jose Padilla, who is charged with plotting to set off a radioactive dirty bomb in the U.S. But after the three-month trial, prosecutors have unfolded a case in which Padilla plays a marginal role.
• Investors Brace for Wild Ride in Financial Markets
  Financial markets want a rate cut to contain damage and keep markets moving in an orderly fashion. Investors were not soothed by the Federal Reserve pouring money into the economy to try to stave off a credit crunch.
• Investors Hope for Interest Rate Cut
  Wall Street starts the week focused on credit problems — there is a fear that credit woes could spread beyond banks to the overall economy. Major U.S. stock indexes ended last week higher, after the Federal Reserve injected $38 billion into the banking system. But investors say that's not enough.
• Pakistan to Celebrate 60 Years of Independence
  Carved out of what was once the "jewel in the crown" of the British Empire, colonial India was partitioned into an independent, Hindu-dominated India and an independent, Muslim-dominated Pakistan. Pakistan is often described as a key ally in America's war against terrorism.
• NASA Weighs Fixing Shuttle Endeavour's Tiles
  NASA is trying to decide whether astronauts need to repair a small gash on the belly of space shuttle Endeavour. NASA says a piece of foam that fell off during the launch may be what is responsible for a small but deep cut in the craft's underbelly. Scientists are grappling with whether to repair the gash.
• Philadelphia's WiFi Program Off to Shaky Start
  Philadelphia was the first major city to start a wireless network. The City of Brotherly Love was supposed to be a showcase for Earthlink, the company that's providing the service. But WiFi is off to a rocky start in Philadelphia.
• Asian Stock Markets Rebound After a Dismal Week
  Ripples from the U.S. mortgage market's troubles were felt across Asia. But the news from Asia is positive, as some markets have made a tentative recovery.
• Karl Rove Leaves, Romney Wins Iowa Straw Poll
  Karl Rove, credited for the rise of President Bush, steps down. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney wins the Iowa Straw Poll. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination after finishing sixth in the poll.
• Rove Found an Inside Track of Insider Info
  Karl Rove, the White House political adviser who is leaving his job at the end of August, professed to have better information than anybody. On Election Day in 2004, Rove phoned his fellow Republicans, and told them to ignore exit polls suggesting President Bush would lose. He was right.
• Political Strategist Karl Rove Resigns
  Karl Rove, President Bush's close friend and chief political strategist, plans to leave the White House at the end of August. A longtime member of Bush's inner circle, Rove was nicknamed "the architect" by the president for designing the strategy that twice won him the White House.
• Tiger Woods Takes PGA Championship, Again
  Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship for the second consecutive year and the fourth time overall. He cruised to a two-shot victory at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. Woods earned his 13th major championship — five short of Jack Nicklaus' all-time record of 18 major titles.
• Merv Griffin Dies at 82
  Entertainer and businessman Merv Griffin, who created two of TV's longest-running game shows — Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune — died Sunday after a recurring bout with cancer. He was 82. He spent decades in front of the camera with the Merv Griffin Show.
• Ethiopia Battles Suspected Islamic Extremists
  Ethiopia wages war with suspected Islamic extremists in Somalia and within its volatile east. And it has secretly cracked down on other groups it deems terrorist, including one in western Ethiopia. The situation is raising serious human rights concerns, and tough questions for its ally, the United States.
• When the Drought Came, a Kenyan Farm Died
  A sub-Saharan drought has all but destroyed a Kenya-based family farm. The small enterprise has been successful for decades. Commentator Pius Kamau describes the deterioration of his family's coffee farm.

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