Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Critics call Pawlenty's radio show too partisan
  Democrats say Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been using his weekly radio program to promote his national ambitions, which they say is a misuse of Minnesota airwaves.6:25 a.m.
• Closing arguments in Petters trial expected Friday
  Closing arguments are expected Friday in the fraud trial of Minnesota businessman Tom Petters.6:45 a.m.
• Feds stimulating research at Minnesota schools
  If ever there was a time for scientists to feel giddy, it's now. Federal stimulus money for research has started rolling into Minnesota colleges.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.6:55 a.m.
• Feds indict Minn. Somali on conspiracy charges
  Federal authorities say a massive investigation into the disappearances of about 20 young Somali men from Minnesota has taken a significant step forward with a seventh arrest in the case.7:20 a.m.
• Crash investigation turns to bus company
  The probe into the bus crash that killed two people and injured 20 others continues in southeast Minnesota today. Inspectors are combing over the damaged bus at a garage in Austin. But attention has also turned to the company that owns the bus, and whether it was following motor carrier regulations.7:25 a.m.
• Rep. Oberstar pushing motor carrier regulations
  The bus rollover on I-90 just west of Austin Minnesota that killed two people and injured 21 others this week came just two days after the federal Department of Transportation released a new "action plan" for improving bus safety.7:40 a.m.
• Minneapolis elections officials nearing final IRV report
  The hand count of ballots cast in Minneapolis' first ever election using instant runoff voting is coming to a close and Minneapolis elections officials will soon start to compile a report about the city's new experience.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Price Fight: Coke Isn't It At Costco
  If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages.
• 'The Onion': Mocking All Who Deserve It Since 1988
  America's Finest News Source has released a book celebrating its 21 years of satire (with a wink). Onion editors Joe Randazzo and Joe Garden talk with Renee Montagne about the serious business of being funny. Also: See the fun The Onion has had at NPR's expense.
• Goldman Sachs Shareholders Want More Of Profits
  Goldman Sachs' shareholders are pressuring the company to reduce the huge bonuses it pays its employees, according to The Wall Street Journal. The investors want to share in more of the profits. Goldman reportedly has been making record amounts of money, but analysts expect earnings for shareholders to be lower than in previous years.
• Industry Hopes Auto Shows Rev Up Demand
  The auto show season kicks off early next month in Los Angeles, and not a moment too soon. November auto sales remain weak. Analysts say the shows are critical to generating the consumer demand that companies such as General Motors need to start making money.
• 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' Breaks Record
  The new combat videogame "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" has blasted away previous entertainment records. The game's publisher ActiVision says it raked in more than $550 million in the first week of sales. That's more than last year's top selling video game "Grand Theft Auto IV."
• New Guidelines Issued On Cervical Cancer Screening
  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued new guidelines for cervical cancer screening — delaying the start of Pap smears for young women and cutting back on the frequency of the tests. The guidelines were announced just days after a different group caused a furor by recommending that most women wait until they're 50 to start getting mammograms.
• Students Protest University Of Calif. Fee Hike
  Thousands of University of California students converged on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles Thursday, as regents adopted a 30 percent fee hike. It's one of the latest signs of California's continuing economic crisis. UC officials say, faced with a huge deficit of their own, they have no choice but to raise the fees. Many students say they can't afford to pay more.
• Senate Tries To Strike Balance On Abortion Language
  The fight over health care has moved to the Senate, and that means the fight over abortion is there as well. Earlier this month, the House passed legislation that would ban federal funding of abortion, but most Democrats say it went too far. Can the Senate's version find a compromise?
• U.S. Soldiers Cheer Iowa High School Football Team
  An Iowa high school football team is boosting the morale of troops in Afghanistan. Dozens of U.S. soldiers will be rooting for the Little Hawks from Iowa City, to bring home a state championship. One soldier's email to a football coach started the long-distance relationship.
• Oprah To End Talk Show After 25th Season
  Oprah Winfrey's production company says she plans to end her talk show in 2011, after 25 seasons on the air. Winfrey plans to announce the final date for her show during a live broadcast Friday. Matt Belloni, an editor at the Hollywood Reporter, talks with Renee Montagne about Oprah's decision.
• State Department Office Reaches Out To Muslims
  A new division opened in the State Department this year: the office of the Special Representative to Muslim Communities. Farah Pandith's mission is to reach out to the world's 1.2 billion Muslims. She tells Steve Inskeep the office will influence how Muslims perceive the United States.
• Financial Crisis Is 'Green' For The Environment
  New studies are projecting that carbon dioxide emissions — greenhouse gas emissions — will decrease for the year 2009. That is thanks to the global recession. But the reprieve is small and expected to be short lived.
• Bank Robber Leaves Wallet Behind
  Albert Perkins lost his wallet. He took it out at the bank, and that's the last time he saw it. What makes it awkward is that authorities say Perkins was robbing the bank at the time. Perkins left his wallet on the counter of the First Federal Bank in Kansas City, Mo. Police used the driver's license to identify the robber, leading to Perkin's guilty plea.
• Drug Paraphernalia Disguised As Ornaments Seized
  Customs authorities in California seized a large shipment of Christmas ornaments from China. They weren't meant to adorn any tree. More than 300,000 pieces of drug paraphernalia were seized. The items were disguised as glass figures and Christmas ornaments.
• Pelosi: Obama Needs Room To Make Afghan Decision
  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says she believes a health-care bill will pass, despite fierce debate over language about abortion. She tells Renee Montagne that when it comes to Afghanistan, she doesn't sense wide support among House members for a significant troop increase. Pelosi says she's asked members to give President Obama room to decide his Afghan strategy.

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