Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Republican convention of 1892 significant for African Americans
  The Republican National Convention begins on Monday in St. Paul. The last time that the Republicans held their national convention in the Twin Cities was 1892.6:49 a.m.
• What should I do if I get arrested?
  What should I do if I get caught up in a mass arrest?6:54 a.m.
• A List You Don't Want to Make
  For years, innocent travelers have been subject to extra scrutiny at airports that seems unwarranted, if not silly. In many cases the traveler shares the name of someone on a terror watch list, and that triggers a closer review. But there's a renewed push to clear the names of the innocent and speed their way through security checks.7:20 a.m.
• Pool owners find challenges installing new drains
  Two new laws require pool owners across the nation to upgrade drains, but there are delays.7:25 a.m.
• U of M rolls out welcome wagon
  The first ever "Welcome Week" at the University of Minnesota kicks off today. It's a six-day program of activities that this year's Freshmen are required to participate in.7:53 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Visual presentations are critically important in the workplace, but very few people know how to do them well, according to the woman who helped created Al Gore's traveling slide show, "An Inconvenient Truth."8:20 a.m.
• Will my cell phone work?
  Will my cell phone work in and around the Xcel Energy Center during the Republican National Convention?8:41 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Take The Olympics. Give Me My NFL, Please
  When it comes to the people who run sports, look out for federations — and for officials wearing blue blazers. Commentator Frank Deford says team sports are easier to run than individual sports, and domestic sports are more manageable than international ones. That means the NFL trumps the Olympics.
• Barbie's Maker Wins $100 M In Bratz Lawsuit
  A federal jury awarded $100 million to Mattel, maker of Barbie dolls, after a long-running legal battle with a smaller toy company, MGA, that sells Barbie's competitor. Mattel says the Bratz dolls' designer conceived the idea while on Mattel's payroll, meaning Bratz and their earnings should belong to Mattel. Mattel had sought nearly $2 billion.
• New Orleans' Scars Still Raw 3 Years After Katrina
  Friday marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast. Some progress has been made in rebuilding New Orleans. And while huge problems remain, the woes don't seem as insuperable as they once did.
• Thousands Demand Thai Government's Resignation
  Thousands of demonstrators in Thailand are occupying the prime minister's office compound. They vow to stay there until the government resigns.
• Math Problem: Democratic Convention's Logistics
  A math class at the University of Colorado examined some of the issues facing organizers of the Democratic National Convention. The students came up with several variables that appear to have been incorporated into the quantitative and qualitative distribution of thousands of volunteers.
• The Volleys Of TV's Political Analysts
  Political pundits live for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominating conventions. But when it comes to what political analysts are saying about the Democratic National Convention going on in Denver, viewers aren't always getting an independent assessment of events.
• Poverty Rate Reflects Stalled Economy, Experts Say
  The U.S. Census Bureau reports real median household income rose slightly last year, and the official poverty rate stayed roughly the same as in the previous survey. The share of people without health insurance dropped slightly, as well. Some budget experts say the numbers demonstrate that the economy has stopped expanding.
• 'One Laptop' Falls Short Of Education Goals
  One Laptop Per Child was an ambitious promise to children in the third world. The project has had trouble with its leadership, finances and competitors. Instead of the legacy of education for third-world children, the One Laptop Per Child program has spurred an industry in low-cost laptops for consumers.
• Obama To Missourians: McCain Is Out Of Touch
  Barack Obama arrives Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He was in Missouri on Tuesday, continuing his tour of some battleground states before he accepts his party's nomination for president. In Kansas City, Obama argued that the American middle class is worse off than it was eight years ago when President Bush took office.
• Aid Ship Diverted From Port Guarded By Russians
  The United States will not dock a Coast Guard ship carrying humanitarian aid in the Georgian city of Poti. Russian forces are posted on the outskirts of the port city. A U.S. embassy spokesman says the ship will dock well south of where Russian and Georgian forces clashed this month.
• Sen. Stevens Wins Alaska's GOP Primary
  Six Republicans have fallen short in their attempt to unseat Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. Stevens won the GOP primary with 63 percent of the vote. He faces what looks like a tough challenge from the mayor of Anchorage in November.
• A Small-Town Fire Chief Juggles Big Responsibilities
  David Greene is on the road looking for leaders who are not necessarily politicians. His search led him to the firehouse in the Mississippi River community of Alton, Ill., where the chief juggles administrative duties, emergency calls and the pressures of being in the public eye.
• Clinton Delegates Await Roll Call Vote
  Hillary Clinton's moment in the spotlight at the Democratic National Convention in Denver had been much anticipated. Many Clinton delegates say they won't be ready to move on and support Barack Obama until they get a chance to vote for her in Wednesday's roll call tally of the states. The details of the roll call vote are still being worked out.
• Public Outcry Stalls Beauty Contest For Nuns
  An Italian priest set aside his plan to hold a beauty contest for nuns. The Rev. Antonio Rungi says he wanted to change the image of nuns and to fight the stereotype that they're old and cranky. He planned an online competition for nuns with the best "overall beauty." But Rungi was attacked via phone calls and e-mails, so he put off the competition he called "Miss Sister 2008."
• Computer With Bank Customers' Info Sold On eBay
  A British man bought a computer on eBay for $65, and when he turned it on, he found the names, addresses, credit card numbers, account numbers, mother's maiden names, even signatures for a million customers of big financial institutions.

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