Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• 'Gran Torino' a movie made in Minnesota, almost
  The new Clint Eastwood movie, "Gran Torino," was shot in Detroit. But the heart of the film was born in Minneapolis. The film has launched the career of screenwriter and Twin Cities native Nick Schenk.6:25 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Meteorologist and Climatologist Mark Seeley looks back at what happened with the weather in December and what we can expect this weekend.6:55 a.m.
• Scrapbooking company attempts fresh start after bankruptcy
  The Antioch Company, the parent company of St. Cloud-based Creative Memories, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November. Creative Memories, the scrapbooking pioneer, is optimistic about its fresh start as it leaves its debt behind.7:25 a.m.
• Grant makers planning less giving
  A new report shows that Minnesota foundations and other giving programs plan to reduce their grantmaking by about four percent this year.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• My Crash: Broken Bones, But An Intact Spirit
  When Barbara Esrig was involved a head-on car crash in 1997, even her doctors doubted that she would survive. But Esrig had no doubts — and in the hospital, she made it clear that she planned to recover.
• GOP's McConnell Sees Hope For A Stimulus Plan
  Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has become the most powerful Republican in government. And even though Democrats now hold sway in Washington, his backing is crucial to President-elect Barack Obama's plans for an economic stimulus package.
• Florida Beats Oklahoma, 24-14, For BCS Title
  The Florida Gators are college football's champions. They beat the Oklahoma Sooners Thursday night in Miami, 24-14. Florida claimed its second Bowl Championship Series in three years.
• U.S. Intelligence: 2 Top Al-Qaida Terrorists Killed
  U.S. officials tell NPR about what they say is a "significant" victory in the war against al-Qaida in Pakistan. A CIA strike on New Year's Day is said to have killed the terrorist organization's chief of operations in Pakistan, along with his top lieutenant. If the U.S. intelligence is true, this is an important development.
• Will Stimulus Package Pass Quickly?
  With jobs evaporating at an alarming rate, President-elect Barack Obama's case for a big package of tax cuts and spending to stimulate the economy looks ever more compelling. The question now is what will Congress do? David Wessel of The Wall Street Journal talks with Renee Montagne about the stimulus package.
• Nervous Employers Slash 524,00 Jobs In December
  The nation's unemployment rate stands at 7.2 percent. Employers cut 524,000 jobs in December. The losses were large and widespread in nearly every industry. It's the 12th straight month of declines. In 2008, more than 2.5 million jobs were cut from payrolls — the most jobs lost since 1945.
• Most Flu Viruses Resistant To Tamiflu This Year
  Every winter, the influenza virus kills thousands of people. In recent years, doctors have relied on the drug Tamiflu to treat serious flu cases. But most of the flu viruses circulating in the U.S. so far this season are resistant to Tamiflu.
• Daschle, With Congress, To Overhaul Health Care
  The Senate kicked off the confirmation process for President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet picks Thursday. First to go before a Senate committee was former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle. He's been tapped to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Daschle says his first and largest task will be to work with Congress to overhaul the nation's health care system.
• Jobless Rate At 16-Year High Of 7.2 Percent
  The nation's unemployment rate shot up to 7.2 percent last month. It's the highest level in nearly 16 years. Governments and businesses cut more than half a million jobs in December. For all of 2008, the economy lost 2.6 million jobs.
• Solis To Lay Out Vision for Labor Department
  President-elect Barack Obama's pick for labor secretary is set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The labor-friendly Hilda Solis isn't expected to have any problems in the confirmation process. The California congresswoman, a Democrat, has a 97 percent rating from the AFL-CIO.
• Unemployment Rate Jumps To 7.2 Percent
  The Labor Department reports the unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent in December. Employers slashed about 524,000 jobs.
• Illinois House To Vote On Impeaching Blagojevich
  Lawmakers in the Illinois House are expected to vote Friday on whether to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He faces federal corruption charges, including allegations that he wanted to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder.
• Has U.S. Lost Its Role As Main Peace Broker?
  Several countries have been working to bring about a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. Aaron David Miller has been a Middle East adviser to six secretaries of state. He gives Ari Shapiro a snapshot of the would-be peace brokers.
• Social Security Payments To Rise Nearly 6 Percent
  The Social Security Administration has a stimulus package of its own for recipients. The financial publication Forbes.com notes that overall Social Security payments will go up $38 billion this year. That's because the government ties Social Security payments to inflation, which climbed last year when oil prices spiked. The result: Payments will rise nearly 6 percent this year.
• Rare Baseball Card Almost Sold On eBay
  Bernice Gallego found an old baseball card and almost sold it on eBay for $10. She had never heard of the Cincinnati Red Stockings. It turns out the card is 140 years old and could be worth more than $100,000. The Cincinnati Red Stockings helped lay the foundation for today's Major League Baseball.

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