Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Transportation one exception to funding crisis
  While most every area of state government faces trims, bridge and road funding can't be touched.6:20 a.m.
• Lack of coupons means full price for TV converter boxes
  A lot of Minnesotans are going to need converter boxes to get their TVs to work when all broadcasts go digital next month. The federal government had planned to give consumers $40 coupons good toward the purchase of the boxes, but the program funding the coupons has run out of money. That means folks who haven't received coupons yet may have to pay full price for converter boxes.6:50 a.m.
• Ice fishers in a tough stretch of winter
  Morning Edition commentator Peter Smith says January is a difficult month for all Minnesotans, especially those who like to fish.6:55 a.m.
• Coleman may face uphill battle in court challenge
  There's no word yet on the seating of a three-judge panel that's expected to hear Norm Coleman's lawsuit over the senate recount, but some legal experts say Coleman faces an uphill battle.7:20 a.m.
• Campaigns gear up, raise money for election contest
  An election contest could drag on for weeks and even months and is going to cost both sides money. It could cost Minnesota taxpayers, too.7:25 a.m.
• Lessons from recount to influence election reform
  It is likely that state lawmakers will take a look at election reform in the new legislative session, now that the U.S. Senate recount has been completed. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has some suggestions.7:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Israel Debates Moving Deeper Into Gaza City
  Israel is under growing pressure to end its military operations in Gaza, following the terrible bloodshed that occurred in the territory over the past 24 hours. However, Israeli leaders are discussing whether to expand military operations in Gaza. That would be a significant escalation of the assault and would inevitably bring even greater casualties among the civilian population.
• College Football: Unique And Unrepresentative
  The Florida Gators and the Oklahoma Sooners meet Thursday in Miami for the national college football championship. But the game won't likely settle the controversy over how college football chooses its national champion. And that's just one of the oddities of the sport.
• Obama Takes Questions On Economy, Deficit
  At a new conference, President-elect Obama names Nancy Killefer as the nation's first governmental performance officer, to be assigned to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The former Clinton Treasury Department official will head a new office that will closely follow how well federal programs are working.
• Black Politicians Disagree When Race Is A Factor
  The Senate's refusal to seat Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris has been portrayed in some Chicago political circles as a case of racism pure and simple. But for a new generation of black politicians - peers in age with the new president-elect - that kind of race-baiting is no longer the norm.
• Israeli Novelist's View Of Gaza Conflict
  The many Israelis who have been watching the conflict in Gaza include Amos Oz. The Israeli novelist is known as a dove. He co-founded a group called "Peace Now" in 1978. Yet, he tells Steve Inskeep that he initially supported Israel's air strikes on Gaza.
• Civilian Casualties Factor Into War Decisions
  The fighting in Gaza has killed more than 600 Palestinians — many of them civilians. Col. Jim Helis is chairman of the U.S. Army War College's department of national security and strategy. He talks with Ari Shapiro about how the U.S. military factors in civilian casualties when assessing war strategy. Helis says it's a balance among legal, ethical and political concerns.
• U.S. Wants Sustainable Cease-Fire In Gaza
  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held off calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, preferring what she calls a more durable solution to make sure Hamas can't continue to fire rockets into Israel. But others say waiting too long to get a truce won't help.
• Rest Up For Next Year's Couch Potato Contest
  Attention couch potatoes — it's time to start training for next year. The winners have been declared in the annual ESPN Zone Ultimate Couch Potato Competition. There were contests in New York, Chicago and Baltimore.
• Gadget Lovers Gather In Las Vegas For CES
  The Consumer Electronics Show — the biggest showcase for new electronics products — opens in Las Vegas Thursday. Morning Edition tech guru Mario Armstrong talks with Ari Shapiro about some of the new gadgets on display.
• Amazon.com Launches Inauguration Store
  The online retailer offers just about everything inauguration goers might need. There are Obama pins and T-shirts — even Obama action figures. Shoppers can buy all the books that the president-elect is said to enjoy. Then there's the section of cold-weather gear for those joining the throngs on the National Mall for the outdoor event.
• Jobless Workers Swamp N.Y.'s Benefits System
  When tens of thousands of newly laid off workers rushed to file for benefits in New York, the state's system crashed. State labor department officials say the problem started Monday when phone banks at the state's toll-free claims center shut down. Then, the online filing system crashed.
• Alcoa To Eliminate 13,500 Jobs Worldwide
  Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. plans to cut roughly 13 percent of its global work force by the end of the year. It is slashing costs in the face of a deteriorating world economy. Alcoa's global rivals also are cutting costs. The entire industry is being hit by falling demand and falling aluminum prices.
• No Football Timeout For Congress
  Congressman Cliff Stearns, a Republican from Florida, asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reconsider any votes scheduled for Thursday. The reason: Stearns is hoping to go to college football's championship game. Number-two Florida plays number-one Oklahoma in Miami. Pelosi's office says there won't be a change in the schedule. Among the issues to be considered: certification of the Electoral College vote that gives Barack Obama the presidency.
• Community Concerned Over Spill's Long-Term Effect
  Two weeks after one of the nation's worst coal waste accidents, officials in eastern Tennessee are trying to ease public health concerns. About 300 acres of land and water were inundated with coal ash — sludgy residue that spilled from a holding pond at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant. Officials say the health risk is minor, but some people near the plant are skeptical.
• CNN's Dr. Gupta May Be Next Surgeon General
  President-elect Barack Obama is looking for a surgeon general. And CNN says its chief medical correspondent is under consideration for the job. Should the offer come, CNN says Dr. Sanjay Gupta has indicated he's likely to take it. The 39-year-old Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon.

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