Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New music made the old fashioned way
  Some Minnesota musicians are turning down the volume and turning back the clock with their music.4:50 p.m.
• Pawlenty hopes to boost 'green' jobs
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will push tax credits and other incentives to companies that add jobs in the renewable energy field.5:20 p.m.
• Melamine in imported cookies could cause health problems
  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture said it's found melamine in cookies sold in at least one Asian grocery in Minnesota. Heidi Kassenborg, of the state agriculture department, joined All Things Considered to talk more about the first advisory issued in Minnesota for melamine contamination.5:24 p.m.
• Hennepin Co. declines to reconsider absentees
  The Hennepin County canvassing board has rejected Democrat Al Franken's campaign's request to count some absentee ballots that had been declared invalid.5:50 p.m.
• Somalis rejoice over president with African roots
  While people all over the globe seem to identify with President-elect Barack Obama, Africans especially aren't shy about claiming him as one of their own.5:54 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• How To Track Music, Scan Bar Codes On A Cell Phone
  Tech expert Omar Gallaga of the Austin American-Statesman talks about some of the newest cell phone applications. One allows you to scan bar codes on products like books to comparison shop. Another will identify music you're listening to if you're in the car or in a store.
• Iraqi City Of Basra Revives After A Long Nightmare
  The life and culture of Iraq's southern port city are slowly returning as security improves. Backed by American air power, Iraqi government forces were able to regain control of the city, breaking the grip of Islamist gangs that had dominated Basra for years.
• U.S. Boosts AIG Bailout Package
  The U.S. is giving new financial assistance to American International Group, providing $40 billion to the troubled insurance giant in return for partial ownership. The government will replace a proposal to give the firm $123 billion with one worth $150 billion.
• Q&A: Will Congress Bail Out Detroit Automakers?
  The Big Three automakers say they need a government bailout to survive. The Treasury Department opposes a Democratic plan to provide money from the $700 billion bailout of the financial sector. Meanwhile, it's unclear whether there is support for another bailout.
• Ex-War Advocate Adelman Backs Obama On Iraq
  Kenneth Adelman, who has worked under Republican presidents since Nixon, was an outspoken supporter of the war in Iraq. He has since changed his view and looks favorably upon the president-elect's tentative 16-month timetable to pull U.S. troops from Iraq.
• Asian Markets Spike On China Stimulus Package
  China has launched an economic stimulus package worth nearly $600 billion, which includes more government investment in infrastructure, tax deductions for exporters, and bigger subsidies to the poor and farmers. Asian markets soared in response.
• Chinese Stimulus May Affect Commodity Prices
  The size of China's economic stimulus package will likely have an effect on the rest of the world. Simon Johnson, former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund and senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, says the Chinese package sets an example for other countries to follow, but the real effect will likely be seen in commodity prices.
• Layoffs Hit Kansas Aircraft Maker; Worker Reacts
  Wichita, Kan.-based aircraft manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft has announced a 5 percent cut to its work force, or almost 500 jobs, due to the worldwide economic slowdown. Michelle Thornton, one of those laid off last Thursday by the firm, talks about what happened.
• Letters: Press Secretary, Mormons, Municipalities
  Listeners responded to the segment in which former White House press secretaries offered wisdom to president-elect Barack Obama's likely pick, Robert Gibbs. Listeners also sounded off on the story on protests against the Church of Latter Day Saints, and on municipalities and the economic meltdown.
• A Kurosawa Celebration, From Many Angles
  A restored Rashomon and rarely seen sketches in the director's own hand anchor a three-month tribute to the man who brought Japanese cinema to the world.

The Dinner Party Download™

A fast, funny digest of the week's most interesting news, cuisine, cocktails and culture.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories