Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• How Minnesota's delegation voted on the bailout
  Minnesota's congressional representatives split their votes on the $700 billion rescue bill for the financial services industry. The U.S. House rejected the measure this afternoon.7:20 a.m.
• Reflections on an old boat for sale
  It's a busy time for many boat owners right now as they prepare their rigs for winter. There's an old adage that the two happiest days for a boat owner are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell it. Commentator Peter Smith has these thoughts on the life cycle of a boat.7:25 a.m.
• Farmers disappointed at low soybean yields
  The Minnesota soybean harvest is getting started, and there's a bit of disappointment so far in the results. For some farmers, yields are falling short of what they had hoped for and they're also worried about declining crop prices.7:35 a.m.
• Country of origin labels coming to the grocery store
  Country of Origin Labeling will be required on fresh meat, produce and seafood on Sept. 30th, and phased in over six months. Supporters of the legislation say the labels will help consumers make more informed food choices. But others say the labels will add cost with very little benefit.7:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• 'Grapes Of Wrath' And The Politics of Book Burning
  The Steinbeck classic was banned and burned in a number of cities, including Kern County, Calif. — the endpoint of the Joad family's fictional migration West. Rick Wartzman, the author of Obscene In The Extreme, says the ban was politically motivated.
• Legal Action Roundup: Ladies' Night, Hugging
  A judge in New York threw out a suit against ladies' night. Roy Den Hollander claims that cheap drinks for women discriminate against men. His case came before a female judge, who told him to get lost. In Iowa City, Iowa, a cop told a drunken man to get lost. The 21-year-old said the officer looked like he needed a hug. The cop warned him off. But even though it caused his arrest, Luke Schreder bravely gave that hug.
• Let The Biter Beware
  The Latin phrase caveat emptor means let the buyer beware. In New York movie theaters, the rule is caveat eater. Steve Kaplan was eating popcorn while watching the movie "Superbad." He chewed an unpopped kernel and hurt his tooth. He sued for $1,250 in dental repairs. But a judge says you can't reasonably expect every kernel to pop. So Mr. Kaplan gets nothing. On top of that, he says "Superbad" was really bad.
• Wall Street's Rescue Is In Limbo
  Some lawmakers say the U.S. economy may be in uncharted territory after Congress failed Monday to pass the $700 billion rescue package for the financial sector. The House lacked 23 votes to pass the legislation.
• Obama Blames GOP For Bad Economy
  Barack Obama was campaigning in Colorado Monday as the rescue plan collapsed in Congress. The Democratic presidential nominee called for both political parties to work together to reach a deal. But he also blamed the financial crisis on the Bush administration, Republican party and John McCain for pushing a culture of deregulation.
• San Francisco's Tobacco Ban Challenged In Court
  A judge in San Francisco will decide Tuesday if the city has a right to enforce a new law that bans the sale of tobacco in pharmacies. Drug store chain Walgreen Co. and tobacco company Philip Morris have filed suits against San Francisco. If the ban is successful, it could catch on in other cities.
• Is The Economic Sky Falling?
  The rescue package for the financial sector failed in Congress Monday. Stock markets fell overseas. Now many people are wondering what will happen next with the U.S. economy. Will all those apocalyptic predictions come true now that the bailout bill has failed?
• What Does Obama's Health Plan Really Cost?
  Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama says his health plan would make insurance available to all Americans. But health policy analysts say that the estimated cost of the plan is far higher than what the campaign is saying.
• Bailout Fails; Leaders Vow To Try Again
  The drama on Capitol Hill Monday reverberated on Wall Street and in financial markets around the world. The House rejected the proposed $700 billion rescue plan for Wall Street despite pleas from President Bush, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and congressional leaders. Lawmakers will be back later this week to try again.
• Foreign Stock Exchanges Follow Dow Down
  One day after Wall Street's massive fall, the Dow Industrials opened strong Tuesday morning. The Nasdaq also was up. The reaction to the failed U.S. economic bailout plan around the rest of the world was mixed.
• European Markets Stunned U.S. Bailout Failed
  Financial turmoil in the U.S. stock markets is being felt overseas. In some European nations, governments have had to nationalize lenders. Philip Coggan, capital markets editor for The Economist, says it could get worse because big pension funds and money market funds are nervous about putting money into banks.
• Globalization Complicates New Food Labels
  Shoppers will soon see more food labels with the country of origin. A new law goes into effect Tuesday aimed at giving U.S. consumers more information about where their meat and produce come from. But globalization has made things more complicated. A hog may have been born in Canada but raised and slaughtered in the U.S.
• McCain Urges Lawmakers To Try Again
  The presidential campaign was overshadowed Monday after the collapse of the Wall Street rescue plan. Republican presidential hopeful John McCain hit the campaign trail calling for Congress to go back to work immediately on a bailout plan. The Arizona senator blamed Democrats and his rival Barack Obama for the legislation's failure.
• Baghdad Wall Falls, Neighborhood Celebrates
  Fifteen months ago, a Baghdad neighborhood was so dangerous that a concrete barrier was built to separate the Sunni and Shiite sides. Security has improved, and the barrier is coming down. Two communities that were once bitter enemies are reconciling.
• Congressman Garrett Had Concerns From Day One
  Republican Congressman Scott Garrett of New Jersey voted against the bailout proposal. He says he had concerns from the very beginning about the $700 billion Wall Street rescue package. Garrett says he especially didn't like the idea of authorizing the Treasury to buy mortgage-backed securities.

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