Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• McCain not the only one benefiting from Pawlenty's campaigning
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty is back in Minnesota Monday, touring the state trying to build support for his 2008 bonding bill proposal. Over the weekend, Gov. Pawlenty criss-crossed the state of Michigan to build support for presidential hopeful John McCain.6:50 a.m.
• U of M creates first beating heart organ
  University of Minnesota scientists say they have for the first time created a beating heart in a laboratory. The discovery offers hope that the technique could be used one day to create a fully functioning heart for humans.7:20 a.m.
• Why is the town of contentment in chaos?
  A group of former Northfield mayors has called for mayor Lee Lansing's resignation. An investigation late last year found Lansing had improperly used his influence to steer city business to his son.7:25 a.m.
• Monday Markets with Chris Farrell
  Minnesota Public Radio Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the possibility of a recession.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Health Care's a Big Issue. Who Covers Candidates?
  Health insurance is turning into a top-tier issue in this year's presidential campaign. We asked the presidential hopefuls about their own coverage — and that of their staffs. Not everyone was talking.
• DHS Still Dogged by Questions over Effectiveness
  The Department of Homeland Security began to take shape five years ago, merging two dozen agencies and almost 200,000 federal employees. More than $200 billion later, the department faces low morale, missed deadlines and continued concerns about its abilities.
• NFL Playoffs, Australian Open
  Sports fans were glued to televisions over the weekend waiting to see which National Football League teams might be battling in February's Super Bowl championship. Meanwhile in Australia, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the season is under way.
• National Zoo Sells Sounds of Wild Life for Ring Tones
  The National Zoo in Washington D.C., is bringing calls of the wild to cell phones by selling animal ring tones. In addition to the Sumatran tiger, incoming calls can sound like an anteater, North American river otters or a laughing hyena.
• Bush Visits U.A.E., Continues Push for Mideast Peace
  President Bush is in the United Arab Emirates and heads next to Saudi Arabia. Both states are allies of the U.S., but that comes with some caveats. Part of the trip is aimed at reenergizing Mideast peace talks and keeping pressure on Iran.
• Golden Globes Awarded Without Stars, Glitz
  The Golden Globe Awards proceed without benefit of the red carpet, fabulous gowns and jewelry... and the stars. In light of the ongoing writers' strike, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association canceled the awards show and replaced it with a televised news conference.
• Slovenia Takes EU Presidency
  With just 2 million citizens, Slovenia is taking over the rotating presidency of the world's largest economic grouping, the 27-country European Union. For the next six months, the ex-Communist former Yugoslav Republic is in charge of the capitalist EU.
• TV's Judge Alex Goes to the Supreme Court
  While television's Judge Alex usually measures his success in ratings for his TV show of the same name, he's now turning to the Supreme Court. He's looking to the justices' votes in a contract dispute with his manager.
• U.K. Rejects Petition for Pet Elephant
  Twelve-year-old Jack Smithies longed to have a pet. But his request was a bit more complicated than a puppy. He wanted an elephant. No one took him seriously. So he filed a petition with the British government to allow pet shops to sell the pachyderms. He'd gotten more than 600 signatures.
• Diners Find Pearls in Oysters
  Last month we brought you the story of a diner in South Florida who discovered a rare iridescent purple pearl in his steamed clams. Last week it happened again: Mike McHenry spit out a pearl while eating fried oysters in New Jersey.
• Former Colombian Hostage Reunited with Son
  Clara Rojas, one of the hostages released by Colombian rebels, reunites with her 3-year-old son in Bogota. Rojas gave birth while in captivity and says the father is a member of the rebel group that held her. Emmanuel was born in an improvised cesarean section.
• Sarkozy Mediates for Release of Betancourt
  French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez mediate for the release of Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt. She is a former Colombian presidential candidate with dual citizenship in France and Colombia. Other hostages include American contractors.
• New Campaign Polls Show Big Changes
  Two new national polls show the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations are still in flux. GOP candidate John McCain pulls ahead, while on the Democratic side Hillary Clinton is well ahead of Barack Obama. Michigan's primary is Jan. 15.
• Pickup Trucks Big Hit at Detroit Auto Show
  This year the North American International Auto Show is prominently featuring a variety of environmentally friendly cars. But for all the environmental preening at the auto show, the nation's top-selling vehicles are still gas guzzling pickup trucks.
• Music Firm EMI Reportedly Cutting Jobs
  The music label behind the Rolling Stones and the Beastie Boys is slashing a third of its workforce. British newspapers report that EMI plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs. It's part of a big restructuring by the company's new owners.

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