Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New Minnesota members of Congress sworn in
  Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim elected to Congress in the United States. Amy Klobuchar became the first elected female senator from Minnesota.5:19 p.m.
• YMCA Youth in Government legislative session convenes
  Hundreds of high school students from around the region are taking part in the YMCA's 53rd Youth in Government Model Assembly Session this week. This mock legislative experience gives the kids a chance to see how government works at the state level.5:23 p.m.
• In 2007 Legislature, arts groups set sights on 2003
  Buoyed by last session's support for an arts share in a constitutional amendment, the State Arts Board aims to restore funding to pre-2003 levels.5:49 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Pelosi and Democrats Unveil Early Agenda
  The Democrats take control of both houses of Congress and make Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California the first female Speaker of the House. Pelosi unveiled the Democrats' agenda for the first 100 hours of the session. The agenda ranges from domestic to foreign policy.
• Hoyer: New Priorities for Democrat-Led Congress
  Robert Siegel talks with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland about the priorities the Democrats have for the first 100 hours of their leadership. He also talks about the party's approach to the war in Iraq, which is not part of its initial agenda.
• Boehner: Republicans Set to Work in Minority
  Robert Siegel talks with House Minority leader John Boehner (R-OH). Boehner discusses his party's agenda on issues such as ethics and Iraq going into the new session. He also talks about how he will work with Democrats as Republicans assume the role of the minority party for the first time in 12 years.
• Negroponte's Move Is Latest Shift for Intelligence
  National Intelligence Director John Negroponte will leave his job as the nation's spy chief to become Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's second-in-command. Negroponte's move is yet another shift in an intelligence community that has seen little continuity at the top since the departure of CIA director George Tenet in 2004.
• Letters: American Workers, and the Fords
  Michele Norris reads from listeners' letters and emails, including responses to a story about the small town of Galena, Ill. Listeners also wrote in about the eulogizing the late President Ford and the pardoning of Richard Nixon, as well as Betty Ford's role in the fight against cancer.
• In the House: Pelosi Makes History
  NPR's Andrea Seabrook depicts the scene on a historic day in Washington, as Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• Congress Switches Parties: What to Expect
  What does the changeover in leadership signify for Congress? Robert Siegel talks with political analysts Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute and Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institution. They give an appraisal of changes to come in the 110th Congress. We also touch base with two former freshmen members.
• Colorado Digs Out from Weekend Blizzard
  Snowmobiles and Humvees are slowly making their way to farms and ranches to check on residents in the Plains states hit by the weekend's blizzard. The National Guard has been mobilized to deliver hay to cattle stranded in snow-covered fields.
• Well Into Winter, the Alps Finally Get a First Snow
  After an unusually warm season, snow is finally falling in the Alps. Michele Norris talks with Georg Romang, the communications and PR director for Crans Montana tourism in Crans Montana, Switzerland.
• Reid Promises Bipartisan Leadership in Senate
  In the Senate, Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada takes over as Majority Leader, proclaiming it to be a new day in Washington. Standing with new Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at his side, Reid said that the Senate would work on a bipartisan basis. Robert Siegel reports from Capitol Hill as the Democrats take control of both houses of Congress.

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