Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Warm winter
  University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley talks with Cathy Wurzer about the unseasonably warm weather.6:55 a.m.
• Northwest Airlines reaches deal to buy Mesaba, whose parent company has yet to sign on
  Northwest Airlines says it has worked out a deal to buy its bankrupt feeder carrier Mesaba Airlines.7:20 a.m.
• Ford dam draws potential buyers
  Ford has puzzled some by putting up for sale one of the soon-to-be-closed plant's major assets -- a unique hydroelectric plant that has powered Ford's St. Paul operation for 83 years.7:25 a.m.
• Small railroads see big ethanol future
  The ethanol boom is helping more than farmers. Most of the nation's ethanol production is transported by rail. Shortline railroads often ar the first link in moving the fuel from rural plants to big city markets.7:50 a.m.
• Tom Tykwer's challenges
  How do you make a film about smell? This was just one of the challenges facing director Tom Tykwer in making "Perfume" which opens in the Twin Cities this weekend.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• A Broken Foot, an Artificial Leg, and a Real Story
  Before Lendall Hill was born, his father lost his leg in a farming accident. But that didn't stop the elder Hill from working at his saw mill -- or from bringing Lendall along on jobs.
• Female Activists a Force in Male-Dominated Gaza
  Palestinian women are moving to the forefront of activism and even taking part in regional violence. In male-dominated Palestinian society, the increased participation marks a significant change.
• 'Voice' Music Poll Undermined by Internet
  Many of the nation's top rock critics are no longer participating in the annual rock music poll done by The Village Voice. Polls on Internet sites also take a toll on the impact of the "Pazz and Jop" survey created by Robert Christgau.
• Patrick Takes Office in Massachusetts
  Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is sworn in as the second elected black governor in U.S. history. He took the oath of office with a Bible given to John Quincy Adams by survivors of the slave ship Amistad.
• Amid Fanfare, 110th Congress Gets Under Way
  The 110th Congress convenes with new leadership and a flurry of welcoming ceremonies. Democrats have the majority in the House and Senate for the first time in 12 years. And Rep. Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the first female Speaker of the House.
• Economic Indicators Point to Solid Job Market
  The Labor Department's employment figures for the month of December are a bit stronger than expected. And economists expect the labor market will remain relatively strong despite a slide in the housing industry.
• Changes Coming in U.S. Military Command for Iraq
  Reports say President Bush's new Iraq strategy is likely to be carried out by new commanders. Media reports say the president will replace the two top generals in the region.
• Boxer 'Optimistic' on Environmental Goals
  Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is the new head of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. She notes existing differences between the parties on environmental issues, but says she's optimistic that progress can be made.
• Giving Investment Portfolios a Yearly Checkup
  January is a good time of year to look at your portfolio to determine which investments have done well and what to change. Should you consider a rebalancing act for your money?
• French Lawmakers Seek to Make Housing a Right
  The French government is about to introduce a bill that would make housing a national right, on a par with free medical care and education. The issue has been embraced by leading politicians across the political spectrum.
• European Workers Fill Call-Center Gaps in India
  Calls to customer service centers frequently lead to a worker in India. But demand for call-center workers has far surpassed the number of skilled workers available. Some companies are hiring Europeans to fill the gap.
• Awaiting Apple's Next Big Thing
  Apple plans to unveil a new product next week. Many industry watchers expect it will be a cell phone that also acts as an iPod. How would such a product change the mobile phone landscape?
• Diet-Pill Makers Fined for Fraud
  The Federal Trade Commission slaps four leading makers of diet pills with a $25-million fine for fraudulently claiming that their products promote weight loss.
• Painting the Decline of Mogadishu
  The Somali capital of Mogadishu -- the once-beautiful Indian Ocean port -- lies in ruin after years of chaos and war. One artist's paintings detail the years of deterioration.
• New Berlin Mosque Attracts Demonstrations
  The construction of a new Mosque in the German capital of Berlin stirs tensions. Earlier this week, demonstrators picketed the laying of the foundation stone for the mosque.

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