Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Building new Minneapolis neighborhoods
  The Minneapolis city council approved plans for more than $5.5 million in federal foreclosure relief funds. The money will be used to buy, rehabilitate or raze foreclosed and abandoned homes.4:50 p.m.
• On the set: Ana's Playground
  Local filmmaker Eric Howell spent a week in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood shooting the film, 'Ana's Playground.' The film is set in a non-specific, war-torn country and examines the lives of children living and dying in world of armed combat. After filming the finished film will be submitted to film festivals to further raise awareness of the project and the subject.4:54 p.m.
• Lawmakers, analysts brace for possible $4B budget deficit
  The worsening economy appears to be taking a bigger than expected toll on the state budget. Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he expects the state will face a "substantial" multi-billion dollar budget deficit next year.5:20 p.m.
• VeraSun bankruptcy hitting Minnesota farmers in the wallet
  The collapse of VeraSun Energy is costing hundreds of Minnesota farmers millions of dollars. The Sioux Falls ethanol company filed for bankruptcy three weeks ago after losing almost $500 million since last summer.5:24 p.m.
• Election officials, observers keep trudging through the recount
  It takes a special person to do the thankless, yet civic-minded, job of recounting nearly 3 million votes cast in the Senate race. Hundreds of election officials, judges and campaign volunteers have spent the past three days inspecting ballots.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Tracking Jewish History Through Vinyl Albums
  In a new book, authors Roger Bennett and Josh Kun detail American Jewish history through vinyl albums. They are trying to answer questions such as, "Who are we?" and "What are we inheriting?" in what Bennett calls the "beginning of a journey."
• Domingo And Bocelli: Keeping Opera Relevant
  Placido Domingo is the most durable, thoughtful opera singer in recent history. Andrea Bocelli has sold more than 60 million albums. The two icons discuss their first performance together and describe what makes opera relevant today.
• Rep. Waxman Known As A Keen Negotiator
  Rep. Henry Waxman ousted Rep. John Dingell to become chairman of the powerful Committee on Energy and Commerce after being No. 2 for more than a dozen years. Congressional watchers say the Democrat could be a powerful force for change.
• Clinton Says Yes To Secretary Of State
  Sen. Hillary Clinton has agreed to be President-elect Obama's nominee for secretary of state; New York Fed chief Timothy Geithner is in line to be treasury secretary; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is up for the top job at Commerce.
• Assessing Obama's Cabinet Choices
  Columnists David Brooks and E.J. Dionne note that the president-elect is putting together a team of former rivals with common ties to President Clinton's administration and two Ivy League pillars.
• 'Twilight' Madness At The Midnight Movie
  Fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books lined up Thursday night to get an early look at the new big-screen adaptation — bringing with them lawn chairs, sleeping bags and cheerleader-style chants in honor of the story's heroes.
• Is Soccer's Star On The Rise In U.S.?
  Sunday's Major League Soccer championship game matches the Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls. Is pro soccer finally gaining a foothold with U.S. sports fans? And how is the sports business dealing with a reeling economy?
• A Pakistani Journalist's View Of Afghanistan
  Ahmed Rashid says the United States needs to understand that his country's stance toward Afghanistan is affected by its long-standing rivalry with India. He says the international community should back talks between Pakistan and India.
• North Korea's Challenges Await Obama
  The incoming Obama administration will inherit ongoing nuclear weapons negotiations with North Korea. One expert says that, though an agreement is likely to take years, the only way to rein in the reclusive nation is by continuing talks.
• Ted Weisberg: A View From The NYSE Floor
  After another volatile week on Wall Street, Robert Siegel checks in with Ted Weisberg, a floor trader on the New York Stock Exchange. Weisberg is the president of Seaport Securities.

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