Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Managing priorities at the Capitol
  A day before the State of the State address, Minnesota Public Radio Capitol reporter Tom Scheck tells us what we can expect to hear from Gov. Pawlenty.7:20 a.m.
• Will a mileage tax replace the gas tax?
  Money collected from the 20-cents-a-gallon state motor fuels tax has flattened out after decades of steady increases. Some politicians say the state needs to explore an alternative.7:25 a.m.
• Tim Brewster is hired
  A window into the qualities that earned Tim Brewster the position as new head coach for the University of Minnesota football team.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Madeleine Peyroux's Nearly 'Perfect World'
  Madeleine Peyroux gained fame for sounding like Billie Holliday and putting an idosyncratic touch on old standards. This time, she interprets more recent material (Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan).
• Divisions Tear at South Africa's ANC
  The party of Nelson Mandela has supplied the nation's president since apartheid gave way to majority black rule, must elect a new leader at the end of the year. It's not a clear choice.
• California Freeze Plays Havoc with Citrus
  Freezing temperatures in California's San Joaquin Valley have destroyed an estimated three-fourths of the region's citrus crop. Citrus farmer Tom Wollenman talks with Renee Montagne about the problem.
• Democratic Hopefuls Make Room for Obama
  An already jam-packed crowd of Democratic presidential hopefuls will make room for one more: Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. The announcement was not unexpected, but it has ramifications for everyone in the field.
• Obama Takes Step Toward White House Run
  In an announcement made on his Web site, Sen. Barack Obama says he will form a presidential exploratory committee. The first-term Democrat says he will go into greater detail about his White House plans on Feb. 10.
• Letters: From Hot Cocoa to Land Rights
  E-mail topics include corrections to coverage of a conflict over land rights in Colorado, the pros and cons of a story on kid-tested hot chocolate in Utah, praise for a commentary by new Iraqi father Saleem Amer and deep interest in David Kestenbaum's story about meeting a neighbor through an Internet-driven coincidence.
• Gates Briefed on Afghan War Effort
  Defense Secretary Robert Gates gets a briefing on the Afghan insurgency. He is traveling in Europe, the Middle East and Afghanistan in an attempt to shore up international and NATO support for a continued war against the Taliban.
• French Police Aid Security at Golden Globes
  French motorcycle police helped provide security during last night's Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills. They also hit L.A. highways to see how policing the city differs from movie depictions.
• 'Dreamgirls' a Golden-Globe Success Story
  The musical Dreamgirls takes home three Golden Globe awards — including supporting-actor honors for Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy — while Sacha Baron Cohen was honored for Borat.
• Big German Bunnies May Help Feed N. Korea
  A retired man living near Berlin strikes a deal with the Pyongyang government to help start a bunny breeding program. The Koreans want big breeds for maximum food potential.
• U.N. Puts Iraqi Civilian Toll at 34,000 for 2006
  A U.N. report says more than 34,000 Iraqi civilians died in sectarian violence last year, nearly three times the number reported dead by the Iraqi government.
• GE Bids to Expand Aviation Manufacturing
  General Electric has made a deal to buy the aerospace division of a major British conglomerate, Smith Group. The $4.8 billion purchase would allow GE to expand its own aviation business into landing gear, propellers and flight-management systems.
• Auto Show Hints at GM Comeback
  If results of the Detroit Auto Show are any indicator, General Motors might be making a comeback. The new Saturn Aurora and a new version of the Chevy Impala impressed industry observers.
• Democrats Eye 'Pay As You Go' Concept
  Democrats in Congress are trying to revive an old concept: "pay as you go." The intent is to discourage politicians from widening the budget deficit through tax cuts or expanded benefits. Republicans are skeptical.
• Jury Selection to Begin in Libby Trial
  The only prosecution associated with the leak of Valerie Plame's status as an undercover CIA agent moves forward. Lawyers will begin questioning potential jury members for the trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former aide to Vice President Cheney.

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