Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Target 4Q profit falls 41 percent amid downturn
  Minneapolis-based Target saw its sales and earnings drop steeply in the fourth quarter, as consumers continued to keep a tight hold on their wallets. As the nation's unemployment rate rose, more of the discount retailer's customers had trouble making payments on Target credit cards.4:43 p.m.
• Somalis worried after suicide bomber details emerge
  FBI director Robert Mueller this week said a Minneapolis man could be the first U.S. citizen to carry out a suicide bombing overseas.5:15 p.m.
• Appeals may delay Pawlenty's signature on election certificate
  It isn't clear when the winner of the senate election will get a certificate allowing him to join the U.S. Senate.5:45 p.m.
• Medtronic cutting jobs, defending product, disclosing payments to docs
  Tuesday has been a busy day for Fridley-based Medtronic. The company told employees in the morning that job cuts are in the offing, but no details will be available until the company's accounting year starts in May. Meantime, there are developments on two issues that have dogged the medical device maker.5:50 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Who's Hiring These Days? The FDIC
  The FDIC is bringing on hundreds of employees to help cope with increasing bank failures. When a bank collapses, agency employees quietly show up and take over. Some will secure the vaults. Some will audit files. All are told to keep quiet about it.
• Darwin's Very Bad Day: 'Oops, We Just Ate It!'
  When young Charles Darwin set out on the Beagle, near the top of his wish list was a rare and coveted bird: the lesser rhea. The bird had been sighted by a French rival — but never caught.
• Van Morrison Captures 'Astral Weeks' Live
  Last November, for the first time in his career, Morrison revisited his second album, Astral Weeks, in concert. The result, Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl, arrives this week, offering a fresh take on one of the key recordings in late '60s rock.
• U.S. Must Decide What Role To Play With Banks
  Many say the government's plan to become a major shareholder in the nation's biggest banks amounts to nationalization, but Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke calls it a "public-private partnership." Greg Ip, U.S. economics editor at The Economist, offers his insight.
• High Court Upholds Conviction In Guns Case
  The Supreme Court upheld Tuesday the spirit of a federal law, making it harder for a domestic violence offender to possess a gun. The question was whether the gun ban imposed on such offenders applied when the state law they were convicted under did not only apply in domestic violence cases.
• Plan for New Presidential Helicopter Hits Snag
  The Pentagon's program to build a new, high-tech helicopter for the president has been plagued by cost overruns. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) pointed out Monday that the new helicopter could cost more than Air Force One.
• Congress In No Rush To Lift 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
  Even the staunchest supporters of repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, such as Rep. Ellen Tauscher, concede they may have to wait. That's because Congress is focused on the economy, Iraq and Afghanistan — and some military leaders might not be ready for the change.
• La.'s Economy May Let It Reject Part Of Stimulus
  Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says he won't take portions of the $787 billion stimulus. Jim Richardson, professor of economics and director of the Public Administration Institute at Louisiana State University, says the state's low unemployment rate may allow it this luxury.
• Letters: Mondello, All Tech, Correction
  Listeners respond to Bob Mondello's Academy Award picks and Omar Gallaga's recommendations for ways to erase your computer's hard drive. Also, there is a correction to an item on Port St. Lucie, Fla.
• Economy To Dominate Obama's Speech To Congress
  President Obama makes his first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday amid economic anxiety. Obama is expected to talk about his own budget and other challenges facing his fledgling administration.

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