Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Meetings planned statewide to decide fate of rejected ballots
  As the Senate recount continues, several meetings get underway around the state Tuesday morning to determine which of the 1,350 wrongly rejected absentee ballots belong in the recount.5:19 p.m.
• Crop farmers face uncertain year in economic downturn
  The recession is having some troubling impacts on the farm economy. Grain prices have tumbled, clouding farmer's outlook for next year.5:24 p.m.
• Klobuchar pushes high-tech stimulus package
  U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said today that Minnesota may benefit from a high-tech stimulus package being considered in Washington.5:50 p.m.
• Most memorable stories of 2008
  Over the course of a year, Minnesota Public Radio's reporters, producers and hosts talk to hundreds of people from all walks of life. Some make a bigger impression than others. Some stories involve a behind-the-scenes challenge. MPR journalists each selected a story or show that was the most memorable for them.6:20 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Bucking Trend, Homicides Among Black Youths Rise
  Despite overall decreases in violent crime in the U.S., a study finds a sharp increase in murders of and by black males, especially teenagers. The authors of the report say several factors could be to blame, including homeland security duties for police after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
• Phoenix Gets Light Rail
  Phonenix opened its first light-rail line over the weekend. The 20-mile line begins in the suburb of Mesa, goes through downtown Phoenix, the airport and the Diamondbacks' Chase Field. It ends in North Phoenix. The project is the culmination of more than a decade of planning and a $1.4 billion budget.
• News Producer Describes Situation Inside Gaza
  The Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip is causing people to panic, says Ahmed Abu Hamda, a news producer for foreign news organizations, including NPR. He says that Monday's air attacks went on almost continuously from midnight to 7 a.m., but after that it wasn't as heavy.
• In Hard Economic Times, Consultant Sheds Jobs
  The American Management Association teaches executives how to run their businesses effectively and ethically in tough times, offering training seminars around the country. But AMA is also cutting its own staff, hoping to weather a deep recession.
• Gaza Fighting Poses Challenges For Obama
  The White House lays the blame for the violence in Gaza on Hamas. But many analysts are closely watching for any indication of how President-elect Obama will deal with the Israeli-Palestinian issue when he takes office next month.
• Video Gaming Industry Finds Itself Recession-Proof
  Omar Gallaga, technology culture reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, talks about just how the video gaming industry has become such a profitable business. Gallaga says it now occupies a central place in the world of home entertainment.
• Video Games As Community-Building Tool
  Omar Gallaga, technology reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, talks about the emergence of video games that encourage social interaction and build community.
• Hamas Official Blames Rockets On Collaborators
  The rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel is the work of Israeli collaborators, says Ahmed Yusuf, political adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. He says Hamas was willing to agree to a new cease-fire with Israel, but Israel hadn't lived up to its end of the bargain.
• Low Interest Rates Not Good News For All
  Mortgage interest rates are the lowest they have been in a generation. Even the indexes that many adjustable-rate mortgages are tied to are down. For many, this is excellent news. But for those in the biggest trouble, great rates aren't enough to solve their problems.
• Israeli Official Explains Gaza Attacks
  For the past three days, Israel has undertaken a major bombing offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israel says it is targeting Hamas for its rocket attacks in Israel. Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, outlines reasons for the operation.
• Lions Fan Reflects On Dismal Season
  Here's quite possibly the most redundant statement in the history of sports: The Detroit Lions are bad. With a loss Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, the Lions completed the first 0-16 NFL season ever. Longtime and long-suffering Lions fan Leonard Lark weighs in.
• In Egypt, Ire At Government Over Gaza Grows
  Egyptians are increasingly angry with their government for refusing to open up the border with Gaza. Egyptian and Hamas security forces exchanged fire at the frontier Sunday after Hamas tried to force open the border. Cairo has dispatched additional security forces.
• Israeli Gaza Bombing Continues; Deaths Near 350
  Israeli warplanes pounded the Gaza Strip for a third day Monday. The death toll in Gaza surpassed 300, with at least 1,000 wounded. U.N. officials say more than 80 of the Palestinian dead are civilians. Two Israeli civilians are known to have died so far in Hamas rocket attacks.
• Hands-On Kids' Museums Make Learning Fun
  Immersion and interaction are the name of the game at children's museums around the country. NPR's Neda Ulaby visited WaterWays in San Jose and the Dinosphere in Indianapolis to see the next generation of kids' museums firsthand.
• 12-Year-Old Fan Of Jazz's Monk Is New 'Dora'
  Dora the Explorer has a new voice: Twelve-year-old Caitlin Sanchez has taken over the title role of Nickelodeon's bilingual animated adventure series. The Fairview, N.J., resident plays jazz piano and likes John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk.

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