Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Pesticide treatment on zebra mussels may work in one northern lake
  An experimental effort to stop the spread of zebra mussels in a northern Minnesota lake might be working, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.6:40 a.m.
• Two Minnesota Olympians reflect on their experience
  Seventeen Minnesotans made it to the Olympics this year. Two of them, Amanda Smock and Susie Scanlan, spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about the experience.6:45 a.m.
• Obama struggles with blue-collar workers
  Many white, blue-collar workers who have soured on the president and his policies want to know what he will do to improve the economy. And no single group wants to know that more than blue-collar workers.7:20 a.m.
• Children at heart of marriage amendment debate, partisans say
  How children fare growing up in gay or lesbian families is one question at the heart of Minnesota's debate over the proposed marriage amendment.7:25 a.m.
• Vikings stadium electronic pulltabs debut just weeks away
  Taxes on new electronic pull tabs are supposed to help pay for about one-third of the new Vikings stadium. And the games could be in gambler's hands in Minnesota in less than two weeks.7:40 a.m.
• Penumbra Theater will not stage any shows this year
  Cathy Wurzer speaks with Penumbra Theater's artistic director, Lou Bellamy.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Bill Clinton Captivates Delegates, Nominates Obama
  On the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., former President Bill Clinton made a rousing case for President Barack Obama to be re-elected to a second term. Clinton went through all the GOP arguments — answering each charge.
• Colombian Government To Negotiate With Rebels
  President Santos told his countrymen this week that Colombia has an opportunity like no other to end a war that began in 1964. That's when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, took up arms to fight for agrarian reform. Colombia has tried and failed to negotiate with the Marxist rebel group three other times since the 1980s.
• 'Godmother' Of Cocaine Trade Murdered In Colombia
  Griselda Blanco was one of the first and one of the most violent Colombian drug smugglers in the 1970s and 80s. She was shot dead this week in Medellin by an unidentified gunman. Blanco was 69. For more on her life, David Greene talks to Billy Corben, the director of the movie Cocaine Cowboys.
• Mass. Prison Reviews Court's Transgender Ruling
  Massachusetts Prison officials say they are still going over a federal court decision ordering them to provide sex change surgery to a prison inmate. Critics are urging officials to appeal what they call an "outrageous abuse of taxpayer funds." The decision reflects a national trend of treating gender identity disorder as a legitimate medical condition deserving treatment like any other.
• Never Too Early To Prepare For Presidential Debates
  Presidential debate coaches from past campaigns say things used to be much simpler. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is spending three days in Vermont this week preparing for next month's debates. President Obama has started his debate preparations too.
• European Central Bank Meets On Interest Rates
  Investors around the world will be watching nervously to see what the head of the bank says about interest rates. Mario Draghi was recently quoted as saying he would do whatever it takes to keep Europe's debt crisis from growing. And that could mean using central bank resources to help lower the cost of borrowing from some of Europe's weaker economies.
• More Ships Are Loaded With Goods For U.S. Retailers
  Shipping companies report the volume of container shipments from Asia to the United States is rising. So are their rates. The world's largest freight line says thanks to high demand; it's boosting its trans-Pacific price by $500 per 40-foot container.
• Gaggle Of New Gadgets Wow Tech Lovers
  It's a mobile gadget lover's dream week. Nokia, Microsoft and Google's Motorola introduce new smartphones. Amazon will show off a new Kindle. And all these companies are positioning themselves in advance of Apple's new iPhone 5, which comes out next week.
• Court: Red Soles Merit Trademark Proetection
  A federal appeals court in New York has ruled the red soles of Christian Louboutin shoes are entitled to trademark protection. The glossy-soled shoes have been seen on movie stars like Sarah Jessica Parker. The ruling bars competitors from using red soles.
• Campaign Uses Convention To Spread Obama's Vision
  Steve Inskeep talks to Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager of the Obama Campaign, about preparations for the fall presidential campaign and how the state of the economy will affect the debate.

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