Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Obama's economic plans may significantly affect Minn. companies
  The election of Barack Obama is likely to have broad effects on Minnesota businesses. But three major Minnesota employers appear likely to be particularly affected, specifically Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group.4:49 p.m.
• From Belarus to Minn., a composer's journey
  Ten years after leaving Belarus, Sergey Khvoshchinsky finds a new home and a big audience in Minnesota.4:53 p.m.
• Coleman campaign questions big Franken gains
  Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign is using the state's open records law to ask state and all 87 counties for access to voting data and other records.5:17 p.m.
• Minnesota's election system in the spotlight
  Minnesota has a reputation for clean and transparent elections. That reputation is about to be put to the test in a way the nation hasn't seen since the presidential recount in Florida in 2000.5:20 p.m.
• Electionwise: Campaign 2008 reduced to mere minutes
  Electionwise postcast hosts Curtis Gilbert and Molly Bloom boil down a seemingly endless campaign season to less time than some ads.5:24 p.m.
• Consumers continue to cut back spending amid economic woes
  It's been a rough week for economic news. A number of retailers, including Minneapolis-based Target, reported lower sales in October. Employers responded to their shrinking revenues by shedding jobs. The nation's jobless rate hit 6.5 percent this past month, the highest level since 1994.5:45 p.m.
• State expected to need federal loan for unemployment payments in 2010
  Federal unemployment rate hits 14-year high. MPR's Tom Crann talks to Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy for a statewide update.5:49 p.m.
• St. Paul writer uses her own experience to create a historical fantasy
  A University of St. Thomas professor has written a historical fantasy for children, based on her experience as a tour guide on one of the uninhabited Apostle Islands.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Early Voting Grows In Popularity
  An increasing number of people are taking advantage of early voting to avoid the crowds on Election Day. Professor Paul Gronke, director of the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College in Portland, Ore., says there are more early voters now, in part, because more states are offering the option of early voting.
• To Improve Quality, Peru Launches Teacher Training
  A glut of teachers in Peru has driven down quality, leaving some of the country's most challenging children with little support. The country is starting a massive training program, but teachers are suspicious the effort is meant to push them out.
• Gay-Marriage Ban Protesters Target Mormon Church
  The church poured millions of dollars into getting Proposition 8 passed in California. On Thursday, thousands demonstrated outside the Mormon temple in Los Angeles, criticizing the church for what they see as its relentless support of discrimination.
• Lessons From The Other Side Of The Road
  Why did the turtle cross the road? We eagerly start off across roads that turn out to be wider and more dangerous than we think, and next thing we know it's too late to turn back.
• In Lean Times, Philadelphia Mayor Makes Cuts
  Tax receipts in the City of Philadelphia are below projections, prompting Mayor Michael Nutter to propose cuts in city payroll and his own salary. Nutter says taking these steps now will reduce the impact of the deficit going forward.
• Obama Sets The Tone On Economy
  President-elect Barack Obaba has met with economic advisers and has spoken to reporters about the transition, the economy and other matters. The meetings come amid news from the Labor Department that job losses are accelerating.
• Advice For Next White House Spokesman
  White House press secretaries of the past offer their advice to the probable incoming candidate, Robert Gibbs. Jake Siewert, Jerald terHorst, Joe Lockhart, Ari Fleischer and Dee Dee Myers offer their insight to the incoming press secretary.
• Spotlight On Would-Be Obama Press Secretary
  President-elect Barack Obama isn't revealing much on White House jobs, but all bets are on senior adviser Robert Gibbs to be tapped as press secretary. Anne Kornblut, a political correspondent at the Washington Post, says Gibbs is a low-key Southerner with a reputation for not losing his cool.
• Letters: Obama Family Dog
  Most listener comments about Thursday's show were about one of the more serious stories: speculation about the Obama family dog.
• Obama Looks To Reagan For Transition Model
  President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is expected to take tips from Ronald Reagan's carefully orchestrated transition. James P. Pfiffner, professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of The Strategic Presidency: Hitting The Ground Running, says that Obama, like Reagan, seems to have started planning early.
• Obama: Quick Action Needed On Economy
  President-elect Barack Obama has said the country is facing a major economic crisis and swift action is needed to resolve it. Obama made his comments in Chicago at his first news conference since his election victory Tuesday.
• More Bad News For U.S. Carmakers
  U.S. automakers Ford and GM have announced more big losses. The two companies, along with Chrysler and the United Auto Workers, are asking Congress for billions in loans to help them get through the next few months. Analysts say the companies are burning through cash reserves fast.
• Nation's Unemployment At 14-Year High
  The Labor Department has said the nation's unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in October, its highest rate in 14 years. The report said 240,000 jobs were lost, worse than expected. This year, 1.2 million jobs have been lost.
• California Considers 90-Day Foreclosure Freeze
  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a freeze on pending foreclosures in an effort to help thousands of distressed homeowners in the state. But some economists say it's a bad idea that will only push California's mortgage rates higher.
• Some Suspect Foul Play In Mexican Official's Death
  Mexico's second highest-ranking official, Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino, was killed in a plane crash in Mexico City on Thursday. The crash was ruled an accident, but some believe organized crime is to blame. Mourino was leading Mexico's war on drugs.

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