Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• For-profit college Rasmussen cuts tuition amid industry-wide enrollment declines
  Big tuition increases are nothing new to many college students, but Bloomington-based Rasmussen College on Tuesday announced a double-digit cut in its rates.3:20 p.m.
• Two Minn. health giants announce collaboration
  A new collaborative research initiative between two Minnesota health giants will work to improve patient care and lower costs. Announced Tuesday morning, the partnership between Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group's Optum division is the largest health data-sharing effort of its kind in the country.4:49 p.m.
• Dr. Jon Hallberg: questions about flu season 2013
  Flu season has arrived. Since late last year, the Minnesota Department of Health has classified influenza as "widespread" here in the state. Some are questioning the effectiveness and availability of the flu vaccine.4:52 p.m.
• Consumer advocates say abusive practices by debt collectors on the rise
  As the recession winds down, consumer advocates say the problem of abusive practices by debt collectors is on the rise. The issue is getting renewed attention here in Minnesota. Attorney General Lori Swanson announced a proposal this week to tighten regulations for companies that buy up debt and to protect consumers from abuse. Both advocates and debt collectors appear to be supporting the proposal.5:20 p.m.
• For-profit college Rasmussen cuts tuition amid industry-wide enrollment declines
  Big tuition increases are nothing new to many college students, but Bloomington-based Rasmussen College on Tuesday announced a double-digit cut in its rates.5:24 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• House Takes Up Sandy Relief Bill After It Was Dropped By Previous Congress
  The House made good on a promise from Speaker John Boehner to pass stalled federal aid for those hit by Hurricane Sandy. Tamara Keith talks to Robert Siegel to explain the politics surrounding the $51 billion package.
• House Republicans Say They Won't Raise The Debt Ceiling Without Spending Cuts
  Robert Siegel talks to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash), the new House Republican Conference Chair. She talks about her reaction to President Obama's comments about the debt ceiling.
• Another George Bush Plans To Try His Hand At Politics
  George Prescott Bush, 36, has announced he is running for office in Texas. The grandson of the first President Bush, nephew of the second, and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has already raised nearly $1.4 million. Now he just has to decide what job he's campaigning for.
• Wal-Mart Offers Jobs To Any New Veterans With An Honorable Discharge
  Wal-Mart is embarking on a major initiative to hire some veterans. They must apply within 12 months of leaving active duty and have an honorable discharge. The company projects it will hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years.
• Colleges Try To Curtail Flu Risk For Students
  As students return to class from winter break, campus health official are trying to avert an outbreak. Colleges in Boston are especially worried after the mayor's declaration last week of a public health emergency in the city.
• Armstrong Reportedly Admits To Doping In Oprah Interview
  Tom Goldman talks to Audie Cornish about the latest reports on Lance Armstrong and a possible confession about his drug use during cycling championships.
• Journalist Targeted By Lance Armstrong Says Doping Admission Is 'Satisfying'
  Audie Cornish talks to the Sunday Times chief sports writer David Walsh about his litigious relationship with Lance Armstrong. He wrote a book about his experience called Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong.
• Turkey Promises Peace Talks With Kurdish Militants, Despite Paris Killings
  For years Turkish leaders vowed they would never negotiate with "terrorists" — their term for the militant PKK separatists who have been battling security forces for decades. So many Turks were startled to learn that the head of the intelligence service had been holding disarmament talks with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Faced with uncertainty in Kurdish northern Iraq and rising Kurdish strength in parts of Syria, Ankara seems motivated to respond to some of the demands from its own Kurdish population. And many Turks, weary of the violence that has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives, are rallying behind the effort. But the government's previous Kurdish initiative was sabotaged by violence and a nationalist backlash, and analysts hope Turkey's leaders have learned some lessons from that failure.
• Fitness Boot Camps May Get The Boot In Santa Monica, Calif.
  In the mornings, the lawn at Palisades Park is often covered with people in sweats and spandex, exercising in groups. But city officials are weighing a plan to muscle out the fitness classes.
• As Bell Ringers Chime In, A Laptop Musician Branches Out
  The latest album by Berlin-based electronic artist Pantha du Prince is a collaboration built around a decidedly nondigital device: a series of large church bells.

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