Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Let it snow - some more
  The winter weather moving through Minnesota today was a welcome sight for people hoping for a white Christmas--but it's unwelcome for commuters and shoppers trying to navigate slippery streets. Todays winter weather is part of the system that brought a blizzard to Colorado. Tony Zaleski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service says no place in the state was overwhelmed by this storm.4:48 p.m.
• Do-it-yourself weather
  One man who would not be disappointed by a brown Christmas is Michael Given. He lives in St. Cloud and the recent drought gave him a bright money-making idea. He bought a snow-making machine.4:52 p.m.
• For now, Minnesota travellers are spared
  Patrick Hogan is the director of public affairs at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. He talked to MPR's Greta Cunningham about how the weather here and in other parts of the nation is affecting travel.4:55 p.m.
• Northwest in talks to acquire regional carrier Mesaba
  Eagan-based Mesaba Airlines has flown passengers for Northwest Airlines for decades. Now Northwest is considering buying Mesaba.5:19 p.m.
• Who is Bob Perry and why does he care about Minnesota politics?
  Why would a Texan, who has no business interests in Minnesota, spend $500,000 on Minnesota's governor's race?5:23 p.m.
• Still caroling after all these years
  When was the last time a group of well bundled wassailers rang your doorbell and started singing songs of the season? We've found evidence that the tradition of Christmas caroling is hanging in there, at least in the Twin Cities.5:49 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Tan Dun's 'First Emperor' to Premiere at Met
  Peking Opera meets Grand Opera Thursday night on the stage of New York's Metropolitan Opera, as Tan Dun's The First Emperor has its world premiere.
• Robert DeNiro, Intrigued by 'The Good Shepherd'
  As a director, Robert DeNiro enjoys helping fellow actors develop the characters they're playing. DeNiro's latest directing efforts include The Good Shepherd, a new movie about secrets and idealism during the Cold War.
• Blizzard Leaves Denver at a Standstill
  Denver is trapped beneath a blanket of snow for a second day. The airport is closed, streets are empty and long stretches of highway are impassable.
• Coping with a Pre-Christmas Snowstorm
  How are people dealing with the Colorado blizzard? Some are grumpy, some resigned. Cree Bol of Fort Collins, Colo., sees the blizzard as an opportunity to teach her son to build a snow cave.
• German Chimney Sweeps Face Loss of Monopoly
  For 70 years, German chimney sweeps have held monopolies in assigned districts, with customers required by law to pay for their services. The sweeps are about to learn if the German government will challenge an EU ruling that the arrangement blocks free trade.
• Tree-Sellers Wrap Up Annual NYC Invasion
  Every year hundreds of thousands of firs are brought to Manhattan so New Yorkers can have a proper Christmas tree. Commission sellers come from many points: Quebec, Sweden, North Carolina and Alaska.
• You Buy It, He'll Put It All Together
  Robbie McGregor runs Robbie's Assembly Service. He will assemble just about anything in the greater Tampa Bay, Fla., area.
• A Baltimore School Seeks to Avoid Failure
  Thousands of schools around the country are labeled as "needing improvement" under the terms of the No Child Left Behind Act. One Baltimore school is struggling against poverty, absenteeism, and years of academic decay to try and turn itself around.
• Letters: Presidential Options, Worst-Case Scenarios in Iraq
  Comments included responses to segments asking if the country is ready to elect a black president or a female president. There are also comments on our exploration of possible worst case scenarios in Iraq.
• Eight Marines Charged in Haditha Killings
  A Marine Corps squad leader and seven other Marines are charged in the deaths of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha last year. It's the most serious U.S. criminal case involving civilian deaths in the Iraq war.

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