Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Vikings season ends
  The Vikings were knocked out the NFL playoffs in the first round when they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 26-14 at the Metrodome.6:20 a.m.
• Child custody law up for review
  A study group will report its findings to the Legislature this month on whether Minnesota should change its child custody laws. At issue is whether judges should automatically presume that children split their time living with each of their divorced parents.6:50 a.m.
• Coleman legal strategy: find votes
  If Norm Coleman ends up contesting the outcome of the Senate election, his legal strategy could focus on a number of issues that have come up during the recount.7:20 a.m.
• Markets with Chris Farrell
  Minnesota Public Radio's chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest in the financial markets.7:25 a.m.
• Legislators preparing for 2009 session, massive deficit
  Minnesota lawmakers say the state's poor financial health will make their work especially challenging over the coming months.7:35 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Former Attorney General Griffin Bell Dies
  Griffin Bell, attorney general in the Carter administration, has died at age 90. He had suffered from pancreatic cancer. Bell arrived at the Justice Department in 1977 in the wake of the Watergate scandal, and his impact is still felt.
• Obama's Stimulus Plan Will Take Weeks Of Work
  President-elect Barack Obama arrived in Washington to get ready for his upcoming inauguration. He's to meet with congressional leaders on his economic stimulus plan Monday. Top Democrats are warning that even if lawmakers move quickly, it could take weeks to get the plan ready to be signed into law.
• Obama Family, Welcome To Washington
  President-elect Barack Obama joined his wife and two daughters Sunday night in Washington, the city they'll call home for the next four years. The Obamas will be spending the next two weeks at the Hay-Adams Hotel, just across a small park from White House.
• Illinois, Minnesota Senators Still Unknown
  There are many questions regarding who will represent Illinois and Minnesota in the Senate. Democratic leaders have rejected the choice of Roland Burris from Illinois. Minnesota's Senate race still hasn't been certified and could still be challenged in a lawsuit.
• Supporters Rally Around Burris For U.S. Senate
  At a South Side Chicago church Sunday night, there was an emotional introduction for Roland Burris. He's the man selected to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat in Illilnois. Democrats have vowed not to seat Burris because he was named by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. However, Burris says he's ready for a showdown.
• Richardson Withdraws As Commerce Secretary Pick
  New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination to be commerce secretary in the Obama administration. Richardson took his name out of the running amid a federal grand jury investigation into government contracts.
• Fighting In Gaza Slows Aid Relief
  Because of the fighting in Gaza between the Israeli military and Hams militants, it's been difficult to get aid to civilians. A relief convoy from Egypt is headed for the Gaza Strip, but it is slow going. The convoy has been traveling across the Sinai Desert on the edge of Egypt, and it's not known if it will be allowed to cross the border into Gaza.
• Maternal Grandma Will Help Obamas Settle In D.C.
  The Obama girls, Malia and Sasha, will start class Monday at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Their maternal grandmother, Marian Robinson, is moving from Chicago to help them make the adjustment. Commentator Patricia Elam talks about the traditional importance of grandmothers in black families.
• New York's Rainbow Room Closing Restaurant
  The restaurant high atop the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center is closing temporarily. A spokesman says the Italian-themed Rainbow Grill will shut down as of Jan. 12. But the Rainbow Room's bar, banquet space and weekend dinner-dancing sessions will continue on the 65th floor. It's unclear how long the restaurant will be closed.
• Locked-In Rate Has Heating Oil Customers Steamed
  The recession is driving down energy prices, making it cheaper for people to heat their homes. In the Northeast, home heating oil could cost considerably less this winter than last year. That is, except for people who locked in at a higher price last summer. Curt Nickisch of member station WBUR reports.
• Urkaine Still Without Gas Shipments From Russia
  Russia and Ukraine still can't agree on natural gas prices, and that appears to be disrupting supplies to Europe. European leaders are holding emergency talks in Brussels. Europe is heavily dependent on Russian gas, most of which travels through Ukraine on its way to European markets. Russia last week cut off supplies to Ukraine, and now Russia accuses Ukraine of stealing gas intended for European markets. Ukraine denies that.
• Madoff Victims Sell Memorabilia On eBay
  Clients of Bernard Madoff may have lost their money, but they did come away with souvenirs. Clients and former employees are selling items with the company's name. Madoff is accused of the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. Former clients are using the auction site eBay to sell things like T-shirts, beach towels, umbrellas, coolers, binoculars, flashlights and tote bags. The postings tell buyers they can "own a piece of history!"
• Parents Question Chinese Milk Compensation Plan
  Verdicts are expected soon in the ongoing scandal over tainted milk in China. So far, the contaminated milk has killed six children and sickened nearly 300,000. The government last week announced details of a compensation plan. Some victims' families are questioning the plan, saying the amounts are too low.
• Israel Moves To Stifle Hamas Rocket Attacks
  Israel's incursion into Gaza has continued for more than a week. Best-selling author Michael Oren is a senior fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. He's also a reservist working as a spokesman for the Israeli military. He tells Ari Shapiro that this large-scale military operation should succeed in deterring Hamas rocket attacks while previous smaller operations failed.
• Jobless Ask: Take First Offer Or Wait For Better?
  Unemployed workers face a tough decision: Should they settle for a lower salary, and get work now, or hold out for a job commensurate with their skills? Employment counselors say some folks are still too proud to take a pay cut, but as weeks drag into months, they may have to settle for less.

Resources

• Future Tense®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

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

Become a Sponsor