Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Itasca State Park using new, four-legged weed control
  There's a new kind of invasive weed control at work in Itasca State Park. It doesn't use chemicals, but rather stands on four legs. Goats are eating spotted knapweed near the Headwaters of the Mississippi River as part of a three-year pilot project.6:52 a.m.
• With a struggle ahead, patience wears thin in flood zone
  In Winona, about 60 area residents confronted Gov. Tim Pawlenty, saying they aren't getting the help they need to recover from flash floods that killed six. Meanwhile, the cleanup continued.7:20 a.m.
• Floods in SE Minnesota of historic proportions
  University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley says the recent floods in southeastern Minnesota set some new records. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.7:25 a.m.
• Global copper and nickel demand spurs exploration on the Range
  Worldwide demand for copper, nickel and other metals has reignited interest in mineral deposits under the Iron Range. One mine is already in development, and now other companies are seeking permits for testing n the area.7:50 a.m.
• Flooding adds to pressure for a special session
  State Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatanna, says damage from floods in southeastern Minnesota is yet another reason to hold a special session of the legislature this year. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Iranian-American Scholar Free on Bail in Tehran
  An Iranian-American scholar detained since May at a Tehran prison has been released on bail. Haleh Esfandiari was accused of conspiring against the Iranian government. Iranian officials have not said whether she will be allowed to leave the country.
• NASA Culture Changed by Columbia
  NASA makes changes to its culture since the Columbia Accident Investigation Board made recommendations, Howard McCurdy, professor of public affairs at American University, says. But everything is not fixed. He's concerned that it ignored allegations about drunken astronauts.
• Italian Village Demands Return of Ancient Chariot
  The 2,600-year-old golden chariot is a star attraction at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, but residents of the mountain town where it was discovered more than a century ago say the masterpiece is rightfully theirs.
• Red Rock Island Offers a Spot Off San Francisco
  David Glickman, who bought Red Rock Island in San Francisco Bay in 1964 for less than $50,000, hopes to sell it for $22 million. He bought the island because he was interested in unusual, offbeat places that, with some imagination, could be made into something worthwhile. He's in Thailand.
• Tribune Employees Ante Up $8 Billion for Company
  Tribune Co. shareholders have approved an $8.2 billion buyout to take the media giant private. Chicago billionaire Sam Zell struck a deal to take the empire of 11 daily newspapers, 23 TV stations and the Chicago Cubs private under an employee stock ownership plan.
• Heat Spells Trouble for France's Nuclear Reactors
  France gets 80 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. Once a nuclear plant is built and running, the power station doesn't emit greenhouse gases. But as summers in Europe get hotter, an unexpected hitch has emerged. Many French reactors have had trouble operating during hot spells.
• War Crimes Trial Starts in Iraq
  Saddam Hussein's cousin known as "Chemical Ali" and 14 others face charges of crimes against humanity for the brutal crushing of a Shiite uprising after the 1991 Gulf War in Iraq's third trial against former regime officials. Three defendants were sentenced to death in another case.
• U.S. Losing War on Terror, Experts Say in Survey
  A new survey of foreign policy experts finds little support for President Bush's policy in Iraq — and a belief that the United States is not winning the war on terrorism. Foreign Policy magazine and the Center for American Progress polled more than 100 members of the foreign policy establishment for the study, drawing on both Republicans and Democrats.
• Vick to Plead Guilty to Dogfighting-Related Charges
  It appears one of the biggest stars in football is heading to prison. A lawyer for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick says his client will plead guilty to felony charges related to dogfighting. He will formally enter his plea at a court hearing on Monday.
• In India, Religious Conflict and Harmony
  Although thousands have died in recent years in India in violence involving Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, an amazing open-mindedness exists about other people's religions. And there is a willingness to draw on other faiths. Buddhists and Christians worship at Hindu shrines and vice versa.
• Hurricane Dean Slams Mexico Coast
  Hurricane Dean plowed into the Caribbean coast of Mexico as a roaring Category 5 storm, heading for the ancient ruins and modern oil installations of the Yucatan Peninsula. The eye of the storm made landfall near Majahual, a popular port with cruise liners east of Chetumal and Belize.
• European Stocks Slide After Gains
  Investors worldwide are trying to gauge whether the worst of the financial storm has passed. Asian stocks managed to hold firm after Monday's rally on Wall Street. In Europe, shares shed earlier gains in early afternoon trading.
• Wal-Mart Fashion Executive Resigns
  Wal-Mart Stores ventured into high-end fashion last year, launching two upscale brands. But customers seemed confused by the tight-fitting jeans and fur-collared jackets. Last month, the Wal-Mart executive in charge of high-end fashion resigned.
• British Woman Can't Play Country Music
  A British court bars Diane Duffin from playing country music classics between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Duffin's neighbors in Leeds complained she played the same songs — including Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" — 20 times in one day.
• Blind Golfer Hits Hole-In-One
  The odds of an amateur golfer hitting a hole-in-one, according to Golf Digest, are 1 in 12,750. Now, imagine that golfer in the rain and blind. Sheila Drummond of Pennsylvania hit a hole-in-one. She is believed to be the first totally blind woman to do so.

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