Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Is moving into the middle class a dream deferred?
  Recent studies suggest that even in good times, Americans in the middle and lower classes largely stayed there, going back decades. What concerns economists even more is that people in the middle class tend to have a tough time recovering after recessions.9:06 a.m.
  Guests
  Robert Samuelson: Columnist for Newsweek and the Washington Post and author of the new book, "The Great Inflation and Its Aftermath: The Past and Future of American Affluence."
  Gregory Acs: Principal research associate at the Urban Institute. He's co-author of an October report on economic mobility sponsored by the Pew Economic Mobility Project.
  Resources
  Robert Samuelson: A 'Wealth Effect' in Reverse
  David Brooks: The Formerly Middle Class
  Economic Mobility Project
• Obama to introduce new national security team
  President-Elect Barack Obama holds a press conference this morning in Chicago to announce the members of his national security team, which will include Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.9:40 a.m.
• Origins of Christmas music
  Philip Brunelle sings the praises of early Christmas music and even the sillier songs we hear at this time of year. And he talks about how holiday music has changed over the years. You'll hear VocalEssence's Ensemble Singers perform Christmas songs, old and new, in MPR's Maud Moon Weyerhauser studio.10:06 a.m.
  Guests
  Philip Brunelle: Philip Brunelle, founder and artistic director of VocalEssence. He'll be joined by 12 Ensemble Singers.
  Resources
  VocalEssence's Welcome Christmas schedule

Listen and Participate

Twin Cities
651-227-6000

Outside Twin Cities
800-242-2828

Suggestion Box

• Suggest an idea for a future Midmorning show
• Suggest a word for the Midmorning etymologist
• Suggest a classic for the Midmorning book club
• Suggest a personal-finance topic to discuss with Ruth Hayden

Of Note

• Talking Volumes
  The new season of Talking Volumes welcomes Barbara Kingsolver on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
• Reporter forum
  Join Kerri Miller and intelligence reporters from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal for a discussion about national security.
• What Kerri's Reading
  Check out what Kerri's reading, see her upcoming conversations or listen to past episodes.
• Recommended Reading
  Looking for a good book? See the books in Midmorning's Recommended Reading list.
• Midmorning Podcast
  Download each day's Midmorning to your computer or portable MP3 player.
• Midmorning's Leadership Series
  Conversations with leaders of organizations, nonprofit and for-profit companies, who reflect on how they work and what they've learned.

Resources

• About Kerri Miller
• Talking Volumes

Services

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