Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Hmong get a mixed debut in new Eastwood film
  The new Clint Eastwood movie, "Gran Torino," is rife with Minnesota connections. And it's believed to be the first major motion picture to prominently feature Hmong-Americans.4:49 p.m.
• Pawlenty announces short-term budget cuts
  Governor Tim Pawlenty says he will reduce state aid payments to cities and counties by $110 million to help solve a short-term budget problem. Pawlenty outlined a plan Friday to cut $271 million in state spending and empty the budget reserve of $155 million.5:19 p.m.
• Franken takes lead in Senate recount
  Democrat Al Franken holds a 262 vote lead in Minnesota's Senate recount after the state Canvassing Board today finished its work of deciding disputed ballots.5:23 p.m.
• Cities, counties get first taste of budget cuts
  Governor Pawlenty will cut $110 million in local government aid as part of his plan to solve a $426 million dollar defecit in the current budget. The local government aid was due in cities and counties next week and now the checks will be smaller.5:50 p.m.
• Higher education takes a big hit in governor's budget
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget cuts protected K-12 education, but Minnesota's higher education system took a big hit.5:55 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Female Wedding Registrar Is First In Muslim World
  In a small town north of Cairo, Egypt, Amal Suleiman has quietly made history by becoming the first female marriage official in the Muslim world. She says she's no radical but that expanding career choices for Muslim women is simply a matter of common sense.
• Combating The Threat Of Somali Piracy
  Somali pirates in the waters off the Horn of Africa nation have hijacked more than 40 ships this year, demanding — and often getting — millions of dollars in ransom. The European Union has launched an effort to protect ships in the area.
• Auto Bailout, Blagojevich, Obama Analyzed
  A busy Friday in politics: President Bush announced a $17.4 billion bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, President-elect Barack Obama announced more Cabinet appointments and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich proclaimed his innocence. David Brooks of The New York Times and E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post about the week in politics.
• Woodward: Deep Throat A Man Of Courage
  W. Mark Felt, otherwise known as "Deep Throat," who leaked key information to The Washington Post during the Watergate scandal, has died. The Washington Post's Bob Woodward talks about Felt's death.
• Criticism For New NFL Rules On Rough Play
  Long considered the nation's most violent big time pro sport, the National Football League is cracking down on big hits. That crackdown has angered players, former players and fans. This year, the NFL has issued more monetary fines for violent hits players haven't been fined for in the past.
• Autoworkers React To Bailout
  Now that President Bush has said he will help the nation's auto industry with $17.4 billion in emergency loans, employees on the front lines weigh in.
• Letters: India's Partition
  One listener objected to what he heard in the report about the 1947 partition of India.
• New From Detroit: The Desperado
  In light of Detroit's request for money to help the ailing carmakers, satirists Bruce Kluger and David Slavin suggest a good ad campaign for a car that answers all the questions raised by Congress. The Detroit Desperado is energy efficient and the product of the Big Three in collaboration.
• New Movies With a French Connection
  The animated comedy The Tale of Despereaux is about a curious French mouse who loves to read. The French-language drama The Class is about a middle school teacher who aims to inspire. There's a lot of exposition in Despereaux and The Class is more real than most fiction films.
• Facing Ice, Snow, Iowa Town Looks To ... Garlic Salt
  Al Olson, public works administrator for Ankeny, Iowa, talks about the city's use of 9,000 tons of donated garlic salt to melt snow and ice on its streets.
• In Cleveland, 'A Christmas Story' Still Holds Allure
  Cleveland has hitched a good part of its seasonal tourism success to A Christmas Story, a 25-year-old movie partly filmed in Cleveland that has developed a near-cult following. People pack the A Christmas Story House museum on weekends, buy fishnet stocking lamps and quote lines from the movie.
• Blagojevich Stands Firm On Staying Put
  Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has insisted he was innocent and said he did not intend to resign despite mounting political pressure. Blagoveich was arrested last week on federal corruption charges.
• Despite Loans, Uphill Road For GM, Chrysler
  GM and Chrysler have got their government bailout, but it came with some conditions that will be difficult for the companies to meet. In some cases, the decisions must be made by outside parties, such as the United Auto Workers or investors who hold bonds issued by the companies.
• A Much-Anticipated Celtics-Lakers Game
  The NBA has one big gift for basketball fans Christmas Day. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers will tip off at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston. A rematch between arch rivals and last year's finalists would be enough to make any hoops junkie happy, but the historic starts these both teams have had to this season has made this the most anticipated regular season game in years. Sportswriter Stefan Fatsis offers his insight.
• How To Make A Dream Gingerbread Home
  Cookbook author Dorie Greenspan offers tips on how to make a gingerbread house, cottage or McMansion. Although Greenspan suggests spreading the work out over a few days, she and Michele Norris recently constructed one in a day.

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