Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Crime, gun violence brings attendees to conference
  A study shows that nearly half of the firearms recovered from crime scenes in Minnesota were first bought locally. A regional conference on gun violence takes place in Minneapolis today. Attendees include law enforcement leaders, elected officials and scholars who study crime and violence are expected to participate and share information and examples of how to reduce gun violence.6:20 a.m.
• Dayton administration tries to soothe business fears as DFL readies tax bills
  At a dinner Wednesday evening, a top aide to Gov. Mark Dayton urged business leaders to work with the governor to fix the state's long-term budget problems and assuage a mostly anti-tax audience leery of what the DFL majority may do in the upcoming session.6:49 a.m.
• Israeli musician draws on African and American roots to make jazz
  Bassist Omer Avital, whose family hails from Morocco and Yemen, grew up in Israel. Surrounded by one tradition but raised in another, he has long absorbed a variety of styles, including European classical music. But the vehicle he chooses to express his creativity is jazz. He performs Thursday at the Jewish Community Center in St. Paul.6:54 a.m.
• With bill in hand, legislators squeezed for time to establish health insurance exchange
  DFL and Republican lawmakers wasted no time this week in unveiling a bill to establish a state health insurance exchange. Federal and state deadlines give legislators barely 10 weeks to get the bill through 14 House and Senate committees.7:35 a.m.
• Supervalu sells 5 grocery chains, retains Cub
  Struggling grocery giant Supervalu is selling five of its chains to an investor group led by Cerberus Capital Management in a deal valued at $3.3 billion including debt.8:46 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Obama To Nominate Jack Lew As Head Of Treasury
  President Obama will nominate his Chief of Staff Jack Lew to be the next Treasury Secretary. Lew is a budget expert who could hit the ground running as the treasury tries to cope with a looming debt ceiling, automatic spending cuts and the ongoing push for long-term deficit reduction.
• New Mortgage Rules Would Limit Risky Lending
  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's new rules that are scheduled to be released Thursday come at a time when regulators and banks are trying to find a middle ground between overly lax and overly tight lending standards. The rules will go into effect next January.
• Conn., N.Y. Governors Want Tighter Gun Control
  In the wake of the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, come ambitious new efforts aimed at gun violence both in Connecticut and neighboring New York state.
• Helping The Disabled, 'I Get To Be Santa All Year'
  Bill Sand of Cincinnati has made it his mission to help those who need assistance. Sand spends most of his free time crafting, creating and building gadgets to help the disabled enhance their lives. He volunteers for the group May We Help.
• Clinics Come To The Rescue Of Ethiopia's Overworked Donkeys
  In Ethiopia, there's a saying in rural areas: "A man without a donkey is a donkey." Donkeys are both a livelihood and a lifesaver for farmers, and when they fall sick, there are special donkey hospitals to treat them.
• When Needed, Ex-Bus Driver Could Succeed Chavez
  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won't be back for Thursday's inauguration. He's too sick after undergoing surgery for cancer in Cuba. If, in the end, he doesn't return, Chavez has said his successor should be Nicolas Maduro, who went from bus driver to union leader to vice president.
• Rubles For Minutes, Not Mochas, At Russian Cafe Chain
  At most cafes, a customer buys a drink or food and stays as long as it takes to consume it. But a Russian entrepreneur is experimenting with ways to change that: At his Clockface Cafes, money buys time, and everything else — from drinks to snacks to art supplies and event space — is free.
• Job Cuts Are Coming To Wall Street
  The Investment bank Morgan Stanley has announced plans to shed 1,600 jobs — about half of those cuts will be made in the U.S. The move is a seen as aimed at cutting costs and boosting equity returns for the banks investors.
• China Investigates Foxconn For Bribery Allegations
  Taiwan technology giant Foxconn said it is under investigation by Chinese authorities. It is also conducting its own probe into allegations that some of its managers had solicited bribes from suppliers.
• Latest TV Technoloy: Ultra-High Definition TV.
  Television manufacturers have come up with what they hope is the next big thing that will lure people into buying new TVs. Steve Inskeep talks to Bloomberg News technology commentator Rich Jaroslovsky about what TV makers are showing off at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Resources

• Marketplace Tech Report®
• 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