Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• RNC's economic impact pegged at $170 million
  One year ago, the Republican National Convention took over downtown St. Paul. A new report out today says the economic impact of the RNC in the area came to $170 million.7:20 a.m.
• Minnesota troops facing an unstable Afghanistan
  130 soldiers from a Minnesota-based Army Reserve unit are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan later this year.7:40 a.m.
• McCollum listens to concerned crowd at health care forum
  Fourth District DFL Rep. Betty McCollum's health care forum drew an overflow crowd last night, but it was a cooled-down version of other, more contentious, similar events.7:45 a.m.
• A day of eating at the Minnesota State Fair
  Morning Edition producer Curtis Gilbert decided to find out how a day of State Fair food effects the body, and what he found out may surprise you.8:40 a.m.
• Peter Smith: I'm skipping the State Fair this year
  You can see all kinds of interesting things at the Minnesota State Fair, but one thing you won't see is Minnesota Public Radio News commentator Peter Smith. He's still a little whiny and tired from state fairs past.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Calif. Wildfires Spread, Homes Destroyed
  The giant wildfire north of Los Angeles has gotten even bigger. As the blaze grows, so does its path of destruction. More than 100,000 acres have gone up in smoke, and thousands of homes are in danger. Firefighters plan to bring out the heavy artillery — they'll use water-dropping jumbo jets to try to make a dent in the flames.
• Greek Government Criticized For Handling Of Fires
  In Greece last month, three days of fires devastated an estimated 50,000 acres of forest, and at one point even threatened the suburbs of the capital, Athens. It was a reminder of the country's worst fires, which burned huge areas of the country in 2007. At that time, the Greek government promised action to make sure similar disasters wouldn't happen again.
• E.O. Wilson And Will Wright: Ant Lovers Unite!
  Will Wright, the mastermind behind the wildly successful computer game The Sims, ponders life, games and evolution with double Pulitzer-winning ant expert E. O. Wilson.
• Video Highlights Danger Of Texting While Driving
  Despite the dangers of texting while driving, people still do it all over the world. A graphic new video public service announcement made in Wales and showcased on YouTube shows just how lethal it can be. The video will be shown in schools throughout the U.K. this fall.
• Gadhafi's Libya Celebrates 40 Years
  Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the military coup that brought Moammar Gadhafi to power in Libya. He is hosting six days of festivities to celebrate. Martin Fletcher, a reporter with The Times of London, talks with Ari Shapiro about the intent of the celebrations.
• Dalai Lama In Taiwan For Humanitarian Visit
  The Dalai Lama is visiting with survivors of last month's typhoon. China has historically claimed sovereignty over Taiwan — despite Taiwan's own democratically elected government. John Pomfret of The Washington Post talks with Renee Montagne about China's reactions to the visit, and implications for U.S.-China relations.
• Heavy Equipment Sales Economic Barometer
  Economists frequently point to statistics like housing starts and construction spending to help them predict the economy. Heavy equipment sales, like excavators, at an auction in Longmont, Colo., may also indicate how well the housing industry and the economy as a whole are doing. The key is to notice what's on the auction block and what the piece of equipment sells for.
• European Union Turns Off Incandescent Bulbs
  Traditional light bulbs will be phased out in the 27 countries of the European Union beginning Tuesday. Shops will no longer be allowed to buy new incandescent light bulbs, but they will be allowed to sell their remaining stock. Europe is replacing the bulbs as part of its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by the year 2020.
• Would You Follow Bob Dylan's Driving Directions?
  Singer Bob Dylan recently said on a radio show that he has been in talks with companies that make car navigation systems. It's not clear whether he was joking, but if Dylan does sign with a GPS company, he'd join the likes of Ozzie Osbourne and Homer Simpson, whose voices already help drivers navigate.
• Afghan Commander Calls For New Strategy
  The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has submitted a report assessing progress in the war there. The report that Gen. Stanley McChrystal sent to top officials at the Pentagon and NATO asserts that the situation in Afghanistan remains "serious," but that "success is achievable."

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