Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Planned changes at St. Paul assembly plant leaves some workers unsure
  There is a lot of uncertainty at the Ford plant in St. Paul. Earlier this week, there was an announcement that Ford will eliminate the second shift at the plant, which makes the Ranger truck. Workers are still waiting to hear whether buyouts will be offered. Cathy Wurzer spoke with one of those workers, Ed Dean, Jr., about how Ford plans to cut operations down to one shift in St. Paul.6:49 a.m.
• 5th District DFL candidates challenge endorsement
  The DFL candidates in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District are busy campaigning just weeks before primary election day. Four of them will appear at debate at the Minnesota State Fair with the hopes of attracting DFL support.7:20 a.m.
• Northwest Airlines' appeal hearing, CHAOS deadline tomorrow
  The Northwest Airlines flight attendants' CHAOS strike deadline is just a day away, but a couple of groups are supporting the company in trying to prevent targeted walk-offs. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Air Transport Association are urging a federal judge in the Southern District of New York to hold the union to its imposed contract.7:49 a.m.
• State fair's Eco Experience shows the way to conserve
  There's a new exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair, and it has nothing to do with food on a stick.7:54 a.m.
• Dominic Papatola: State Fair arts commentary
  Minnesota Public Radio arts commentator Dominic Papatola remarks on his annual attraction to the Minnesota State Fair.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Hot Real Estate Market Has China Worried
  Property values in Shanghai have risen 300 percent in three years, pricing many out of the market. The Chinese government is trying to cool the sizzling market, but not everybody's happy with its moves.
• Deep-Fried Fuel: A Biodiesel Kitchen Vision
  At a truck stop between Dallas and Waco, Texas, a little energy revolution has begun. Truckers at Carl's Corner fill up on BioWillie, biodiesel named after singer Willie Nelson. The fuel is made from farm crops and recycled restaurant grease.
• FDA Approves Non-Prescription Morning-After Pill
  The Food and Drug Administration approves over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill, called Plan B by its maker, to those 18 or older. The FDA's decision ends a contentious 3-year effort to make it available without a prescription. But women 17 and younger will have to obtain a doctor's prescription to get the pills.
• Obama Makes Family Pilgrimage to Kenya
  Sen. Barack Obama arrives in Kenya for a visit to his father's native country, and ancestral village. The Obama family's home village is preparing to celebrate his much-anticipated arrival. The Illinois Democrat is on a tour of several African countries.
• Solar System Shrinks with Pluto's Demotion
  Leading astronomers declare that Pluto is no longer a planet, shrinking the solar system from nine planets to eight. Pluto was discovered in 1930. It lost its planetary status when the International Astronomical Union approved a definition for planets that Pluto fails to meet.
• Real Estate Downturn Produces Condo Glut
  The real estate slump on both coasts has left a glut of condominiums on the market in places like San Diego. That's forcing some sellers into big price cuts. Many developers are responding to the changing market conditions by converting vacant condos into rentals.
• Cluster Bombs a Cruel Legacy of Lebanon Conflict
  Cluster bombs are not illegal, but many anti-war groups say they should be. Israel used the weapons against Hezbollah. As a result, the U.N. Mine Advisory Group says, many areas in south Lebanon are littered with thousands of unexploded "bomblets."
• General: Iran Providing Support to Iraqi Militias
  American Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero tells reporters at the Pentagon that Iran is backing Shiite militia groups, and even death squads, inside Iraq. Barbero said several hundred forts have now been constructed along the borders of Iraq. Their mission is to stop insurgents coming from Iran and Syria.
• U.S. Strategy and Tactics Fail to Mesh in Iraq
  Tom Ricks, a reporter for the Washington Post and author of the book Fiasco, says he's seen a persistent disconnect between U.S. strategy and U.S. tactics in Iraq. Ricks tells Steve Inskeep that the current U.S. strategy is being undermined by questionable tactics.
• 'Minutemen' to Track Illegal Immigrant Labor
  The anti-immigration group "The Minutemen" is expanding its mission beyond U.S. border states. The group is targeting businesses that may hire illegal immigrants.
• Stem Cells Produced Without Harming Embryos
  Scientists announce a new way to make human embryonic stem cells that avoids harming embryos. They say the procedure offers a solution to the ethical conundrum of making human-derived stem cells. But stem-cell opponents say the procedure does not satisfy their objections.
• Europeans Fail to Follow Italy's Lebanon Lead
  Italy again appeals to Europe to contribute troops to a U.N. peace mission in Lebanon. [Italy has offered to send up to 3,000 troops and take the lead if European nations help fill a 15,000-member force. Its neighbors have been slow to accept the challenge.
• Apple Pays Rival $100 Million in iPod Patent Dispute
  Apple settles a patent lawsuit involving the iPod's content menu system. Creative Technology will receive $100 million from Apple to settle the dispute between the two music-player rivals.
• Emmy Changes Fail to Win Hollywood's Applause
  The Emmy awards ceremony takes place Sunday. This year, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences tried a new nominating system intended to boost the chances of some previously neglected shows. But the changes have largely been considered a failure.
• Scientists Search for Fresh Antibiotics in the Ocean
  As more bacteria develop resistance to common antibiotics, scientists are desperate to find new drugs. Few are emerging. So some scientists are looking to the ocean for new medicines. But the economics of developing new antibiotics means that few drug companies are interested in the search.

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