Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota man fights forced electroconvulsive therapy
  Ray Sandford says he's losing his memory after having more than 30 electro-convulsive therapy treatments. But his doctors argue the procedure is necessary to treat Sandford's psychotic episodes.4:49 p.m.
• State budget cuts could begin by the end of the week
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty's top budget adviser says spending cuts totaling $231 million could begin by the end of the week to address the state's short-term budget problem.5:20 p.m.
• Supreme Court to hear absentee ballot arguments Wednesday
  The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday on a request by Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign for an order preventing county canvassing boards from opening and counting wrongly rejected absentee ballots.5:24 p.m.
• Better buys, slower sales for Best Buy
  Analysts expect Best Buy to report a steep drop in sales and earnings tomorrow. However, the consumer electronics giant appears to be on track to become even more dominant in the consumer electronics business.5:50 p.m.
• College sports teams need to help raise money
  The men's track and field program at Bemidji State University has been saved from the chopping block. BSU officials were looking to pull the plug on the program, in part, to save money but will keep the program for another year as long as it does more of its own fund raising.5:55 p.m.
• City budget pinch squeezing Duluth zoo
  Duluth continues to struggle with budget problems, and now the public housing for the polar bear, primates and other critters at the city zoo may be at risk.6:19 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Holiday Technology Guide: What's Affordable
  Despite the dour state of the economy, there are still plenty of technology gifts that may not be fancy, but may be useful and affordable. Omar Gallaga, technology reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, talks about how to stretch those tech dollars.
• Oklahoma Republicans Shift Political Expectations
  Oklahoma was the reddest state in the union this November, with Republican John McCain carrying every single county. Some residents of one city say they're sore McCain lost, but others say they've been impressed with the president-elect so far.
• 'Fleet Foxes' Tops Listeners' Music Poll
  For the past few weeks, listeners have been voting for the best albums of 2008 in the All Songs Considered online poll. Bob Boilen talks about the year in music and the poll's final results, singling out music from Bob Dylan, She & Him, Girl Talk and this year's top album from Fleet Foxes.
• Extent Of Losses From Madoff Unclear
  Investigators are still trying to determine just how much money investors lost in Bernard Madoff's alleged Ponzi scheme. Estimates run as high as $50 billion. A big question facing regulators is how they could have missed a scheme that may date back as far as 20 years.
• Florida Pawn Shop Booming After Madoff Revelation
  Since Wall Street investment manager Bernard Madoff's alleged Ponzi scheme was revealed, business has been booming at Royal Pawn & Jewelry Inc. near Palm Beach, Fla., where many of Madoff's investors are based. People have tried to pawn a Ferrari, a Tiffany ring and a yacht worth over $500,000.
• Missing A Masterpiece? Call FBI's Art Crime Team
  The FBI used to treat cases of art theft just like any other case involving stolen property. But today, a team of special agents at the FBI is devoted to tracking down priceless cultural artifacts. Dina Temple-Raston explores the world of real-life art heists.
• Re-Creating The Mall Online
  New companies are trying to replicate real-world shopping environments on the computer. Shopping at the new virtual 3-D mall is a little like shopping in Second Life and a little like the actual mall in Seattle.
• Obama To Unveil Environmental Team
  President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce his picks for his energy and environment team at a Chicago news conference. Nobel laureate Steven Chu is expected to be Obama's energy secretary; Lisa Jackson is likely to be named the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Group Works To Weaken Electoral College Process
  Members of the Electoral College are meeting around the country Monday to make Barack Obama's election official. Obama's margin of victory has made the process free of controversy, but that hasn't always been the case with the Electoral College.
• Calif. Mayor Irked By City Council Ruling
  South El Monte, Calif., Mayor Blanca Figueroa works well into the night, sometimes until 2 a.m. However, the City Council, citing security concerns, has told Figueroa that she can work no later than 11 p.m., a move that has both baffled and angered the mayor. Figueroa talks about the ruling.

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