Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• World War II vets talking more about horrors of combat
  The willingness of the vets to tell their stories can be traced in part to a decision by the Veterans Administration to look more closely at the stress and anxiety many older vets still experience from military service.6:20 a.m.
• Legislative leaders start planning for economic stimulus
  DFL leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate will highlight one of their priority proposals of the 2009 session Monday: a plan for creating jobs and boosting the state economy.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.

National Public Radio Stories

• Obama Prods Bush On Bailout Funds
  President-elect Barack Obama wants to use the rest of the funds in the financial rescue package. Today, Obama asked President Bush to make a formal request to Congress, to release the remaining $350 billion of the original $700 billion fund. President Bush agreed.
• Bush Asks Congress For Banking Funds
  President Bush has requested that Congress release $350 billion to aid the financial industry. The money is the second half of the financial sector's $700 billion bailout fund. President Bush acted after President-elect Barack Obama asked him to request the funds.
• Bush Holds Final News Conference Of Presidency
  President Bush said he would ask Congress to release the remaining $350 billion in bailout money for Wall Street, if President-elect Barack Obama asks him to. Bush warned the incoming president that he'll face "disappointments" as president.
• Obamifications Denied Word Of The Year
  The American Dialect Society has voted "bailout" the word of the year. But the runners-up are much more fun. Words like Obamabot, Obamacare, Obamacism and Obamacise. Call them Obamifications: words manufactured from Barack Obama's name.
• Not Everyone Enjoying Low Mortgage Rates
  The government is pushing interest rates on home loans down to their lowest levels in more than 35 years. That's helped a lot of people who've refinanced save hundreds of dollars a month on their mortgage payments. But a lot of people can't qualify for those low rates. And it's not just those with bad credit. People with more expensive homes are also being left out.
• Inaugural Gown Shopping In A Recession
  In Washington, D.C., next week, there will be hundreds of black-tie events. The fancy dress shops in the nation's capital are rolling out their wares for inauguration events. And in a city that still has places that do business the old fashioned way — perhaps no place caters to its clientele quite like Harriet Kassman.
• Smugglers' Tunnels Into Gaza Open For Business
  Israel may launch a full-scale attack on Hamas smuggling tunnels on Gaza's border with Egypt. With better technology, Egyptian officials say they could do more to find the tunnels. But people who live along the border say as long as Israel's blockade of Gaza continues, so will the smuggling.
• U.S. Deflects Israel's Plan For Iran Reactor Attack
  According to a report over the weekend in The New York Times, Israel wanted help from the United States in preparing to strike nuclear facilities in Iran. The Bush Administration turned the request down. Israel was looking for bunker-busting bombs from U.S. officials, and permission to fly over Iraq on the way to Iran.
• U.K. Auto Industry May Offer Lessons For Detroit
  The city of Coventry used to be known as the British Detroit. But when most of the auto jobs moved away, government and business worked together to reinvent the local economy. The British auto industry has retooled itself in recent decades, and many point to it as a model for the U.S.
• Web Site Registers Smells Of the World
  A Web site in Japan combines Google's mapping technology with hundreds of sophisticated olfactory systems. Members of the "Smell Club" locate unusual smells around the world. They map them so you can click on the site and find out where they are. Some of the odors are not appealing — like "cat with halitosis." Organizers say someday they hope to be able to transmit scent online.
• Citigroup, Morgan Stanley May Combine Brokerages
  The troubled banking giant Citigroup is under pressure to shore up its finances — especially after taking billions in government rescue money. In recent days, Citigroup reportedly has been working on a deal to bring in billions more of much-needed capital. The deal is said to involve Citigroup combining its brokerage with rival Morgan Stanley. If the deal goes through, Morgan Stanley would have a controlling stake in a new operation that could be the largest retail brokerage in the world.
• Staff Sgt. Plays Obama In Inaugural Rehearsal
  Tourists near the U.S. Capitol Sunday could be forgiven for double-checking the date. Barack Obama raised his right hand for his inauguration. It was a rehearsal. The incoming president was played by a stand-in named Derrick Brooks. He's a 26-year-old U.S. Army staff sergeant. He was chosen for his resemblance to Mr. Obama, though it's not perfect. When Brooks met the president-elect last week, Obama told him his ears weren't as big as his.
• One More Week Until White House Transition
  Next week the United States will have a new president. President-elect Barack Obama has been giving hints to what he'd like to accomplish. At the same time, President Bush has been reflecting on his legacy.
• Obama To Discuss Trade, Drug War With Calderon
  President-elect Barack Obama has his first meeting with a foreign leader since he was elected in November. On Monday, Mr. Obama will discuss the drug war and trade issues with Mexico's President Felipe Calderon.
• Israeli Troops Press Into Gaza City
  Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip shows no sign of abating. The death toll inside Gaza is now close to 900. Israel stepped up the pace of its airstrikes. And Sunday, the ground offensive saw some of the fiercest fighting so far.

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