Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Uncertain future for America's first mall at age 50
  The "mall" is turning 50. Southdale Center in Edina was the country's first indoor shopping center. And it's celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend.6:49 a.m.
• Senate candidates take different views of health care
  Democrat Amy Klobuchar, Republican Mark Kennedy and Independence Party candidate Robert Fitzgerald have all proposed ways to provide more health insurance coverage by controlling the cost of health care.7:20 a.m.
• The races round Mankato
  Three of the legislative seats round Mankato are open in November. That doesn't mean whoever wins will lack political experience.7:48 a.m.
• Twins hopes may rest on a broken shoulder
  A come-back for the Minnesota Twins in the baseball playoffs will depend largely on a strong performance from a starting pitcher with a broken shoulder.7:55 a.m.
• Film festival honors greatest generation
  A film festival this weekend at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul honors the lives of regular Minnesotans who lived through extraordinary times.8:24 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• A Bay-Area Billionaire's Annual Gift of Music
  An unusual music festival begins in San Francisco Friday: The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass event features 60 bands playing on five stages, some of the biggest — and smallest — names in the genre. It's all a gift to the Bay Area from a music-loving native son.
• House Opening Formal Investigation into Foley Case
  The House Ethics Committee moved to open a formal investigation into the case of former Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL), which it says should take "weeks, not months."
• New Mexico House Race Too Close to Call
  In Albuquerque, N.M., Republican Rep. Heather Wilson faces a challenge from Democratic Attorney General Patricia Madrid in one of the closest house races of the year. The Iraq war is a key issue, as is the Mark Foley case.
• Resurgent Taliban's Strength Runs Deep
  The Taliban are back in Afghanistan, battling NATO forces in the country's south. They're based in neighboring Pakistan, according to author and journalist Ahmed Rashid.
• NATO Beats Taliban in Battle, Works to Win War
  The Afghan people are looking for security and displays of strength, according to U.S. Army Col. Steve Williams. He is a deputy commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Williams tells Renee Montagne that the military cannot win the war in southern Afghanistan without winning the hearts of the people.
• Body Armor Saves 'Lucky' Marine in Iraq
  Gunnery Sgt. Shawn Dempsey has high praise for the body armor he wears, even though many complain it's too heavy for patrolling in the heat of the Iraqi desert. A sniper's bullet left a hole in the Marine's armor, but the equipment saved his life.
• Bombing Trial Highlights India's Hindu-Muslim Divide
  A trial underway in Mumbai is putting the tense relationship between Hindus and Muslims under further strain. The court proceeding is for a bombing that took place 13 years ago, and there are over 120 defendants.
• Britain's Straw Starts Veil Controversy
  Jack Straw, leader of Britain's House of Commons, is being criticized for suggesting that Muslim women remove their veils in public.
• Wal-Mart Expanding Generic Drug Program
  Wal-Mart has announced it's expanding a plan to charge $4 for some generic drugs to stores throughout the state, after testing it in Tampa. Company officials say they expect to take the program national next year.
• Goodyear Contract Talks Collapse, Employees Strike
  At least 15,000 Goodyear workers are off the job as strikes begin at plants in 10 states and Canada. As Daniel Hockensmith of member station WKSU reports, talks between labor and management fell apart Thursday.

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