All Things Considered for November 7, 2008 | Minnesota Public Radio News

Friday, November 7, 2008

Minnesota Public Radio Stories

Obama's economic plans may significantly affect Minn. companies
The election of Barack Obama is likely to have broad effects on Minnesota businesses. But three major Minnesota employers appear likely to be particularly affected, specifically Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group.4:49 p.m.
From Belarus to Minn., a composer's journey
Ten years after leaving Belarus, Sergey Khvoshchinsky finds a new home and a big audience in Minnesota.4:53 p.m.
Coleman campaign questions big Franken gains
Sen. Norm Coleman's campaign is using the state's open records law to ask state and all 87 counties for access to voting data and other records.5:17 p.m.
Minnesota's election system in the spotlight
Minnesota has a reputation for clean and transparent elections. That reputation is about to be put to the test in a way the nation hasn't seen since the presidential recount in Florida in 2000.5:20 p.m.
Electionwise: Campaign 2008 reduced to mere minutes
Electionwise postcast hosts Curtis Gilbert and Molly Bloom boil down a seemingly endless campaign season to less time than some ads.5:24 p.m.
Consumers continue to cut back spending amid economic woes
It's been a rough week for economic news. A number of retailers, including Minneapolis-based Target, reported lower sales in October. Employers responded to their shrinking revenues by shedding jobs. The nation's jobless rate hit 6.5 percent this past month, the highest level since 1994.5:45 p.m.
State expected to need federal loan for unemployment payments in 2010
Federal unemployment rate hits 14-year high. MPR's Tom Crann talks to Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Dan McElroy for a statewide update.5:49 p.m.
St. Paul writer uses her own experience to create a historical fantasy
A University of St. Thomas professor has written a historical fantasy for children, based on her experience as a tour guide on one of the uninhabited Apostle Islands.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

Wisconsin Schools Shocked By Bad Investment
Five school districts in Wisconsin invested $200 million in what they say they believed were safe corporate bonds. Instead, the schools ended up acting as insurers to companies that became some of Wall Street's worst bets.
Irish Bank's Rapid Global Growth Bought Trouble
Dublin-based Depfa got into hot water by transforming itself from a small, local lender into a major global enterprise intertwined with financing from Duluth to Dubai. It had an audacious goal: to dominate American municipal finance. Instead, it has jeopardized many public investments.
Some Suspect Foul Play In Mexican Official's Death
Mexico's second highest-ranking official, Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino, was killed in a plane crash in Mexico City on Thursday. The crash was ruled an accident, but some believe organized crime is to blame. Mourino was leading Mexico's war on drugs.
Obama: Quick Action Needed On Economy
President-elect Barack Obama has said the country is facing a major economic crisis and swift action is needed to resolve it. Obama made his comments in Chicago at his first news conference since his election victory Tuesday.
Obama Looks To Reagan For Transition Model
President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is expected to take tips from Ronald Reagan's carefully orchestrated transition. James P. Pfiffner, professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of The Strategic Presidency: Hitting The Ground Running, says that Obama, like Reagan, seems to have started planning early.
Letters: Obama Family Dog
Most listener comments about Thursday's show were about one of the more serious stories: speculation about the Obama family dog.
Spotlight On Would-Be Obama Press Secretary
President-elect Barack Obama isn't revealing much on White House jobs, but all bets are on senior adviser Robert Gibbs to be tapped as press secretary. Anne Kornblut, a political correspondent at the Washington Post, says Gibbs is a low-key Southerner with a reputation for not losing his cool.
Advice For Next White House Spokesman
White House press secretaries of the past offer their advice to the probable incoming candidate, Robert Gibbs. Jake Siewert, Jerald terHorst, Joe Lockhart, Ari Fleischer and Dee Dee Myers offer their insight to the incoming press secretary.
Municipalities Squeezed In Bond Market
When the normally quiet bond market went haywire, cities and towns across America found themselves stuck with rising payments and projects in jeopardy. But why?
Nation's Unemployment At 14-Year High
The Labor Department has said the nation's unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in October, its highest rate in 14 years. The report said 240,000 jobs were lost, worse than expected. This year, 1.2 million jobs have been lost.