Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Rent-to-own homebuying on the rise, and so are problems
  Alternative home financing can be a risky deal for unsuspecting buyers.6:20 a.m.
• On the road to the inauguration
  The throngs in Washington D.C. for Barack Obama's swearing-in include three African American men from Minneapolis, and the 12-year-old son of one of them. They hit the road for Washington this weekend with no tickets to the inaugural and only a martial arts studio for accommodations.7:20 a.m.
• D.C. is energized on eve of Obama swearing-in
  Millions of people from around the country and around the world are making their way to Washington, D.C. for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.7:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Turning A Page? Better Consult A Professional
  On Inauguration Day, Americans get a new president and an earful of the cliche about "turning a page in history." It seems a fitting time to honor the talents of someone who turns pages for a living.
• Minister Sparks Maternity Leave Debate In France
  French Justice Minister Rachida Dati returned to work just five days after giving birth to a daughter. The brevity of the maternity leave concerns feminists and others who say Dati's example could undermine hard-won maternity-leave rights.
• Firms Try To Cash In On Obama's Popularity
  The beverage industry - like much of corporate America — is looking for ways to tie products to the popular incoming president. Pepsi unveiled a logo that bears similarities to the one used for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Jones Soda has a new flavor called "Orange You Glad For Change." Want a presidential potion with more kick, you might head to a bar and order an Obamatini.
• Russia, Ukraine To Sign Gas Agreement
  A dispute that left large areas of Europe without gas in the dead of winter may be over. Russia and Ukraine say they have agreed to a deal that will slightly raise the cost of gas to Ukraine, which holds the pipeline that carries the gas to Europe.
• A Tearful Return To A Shattered Gaza Home
  With a fragile cease-fire in Gaza, Israel has allowed foreign journalists into the territory for the first time in three weeks. Civilians in north Gaza returned in droves to survey the damage. Hahdija Rakker, 55, wept at what she saw.
• Kentucky Bus Riders On The Road To History
  Large convoys of buses are en route to Washington, D.C., for Tuesday's presidential inauguration. One group left Louisville, Ky., before sunrise Monday and will arrive in time to see Barack Obama take the oath of office.
• Indian Artist Discovers Exhibit Contains Fakes
  An acclaimed artist from India was invited to inaugurate an exhibition of his work. SH Raza's work is so popular that it sometimes sells for millions of dollars. At a gallery in New Delhi, Raza paused to admire some of his work. Which is how he discovered that most of the paintings on display were fakes. Somebody forged his abstract paintings to get a payoff that was not abstract at all.
• Obama And Film's 'Magic Negroes'
  Jabari Asim, author of What Obama Means, explores connections between the president-elect and a variety of oversimplified black movie characters who critics have mockingly called "magic negroes."
• Going Out Of Business: Circuit City
  The liquidation sale at Circuit City continues this week. The company is closing 567 stores and laying off more than 30,000 workers. Over the weekend, shoppers lined up looking for good deals, but found the bargains weren't quite as good as what they expected.
• Are Some Obama Coins Wooden Nickles?
  There are plenty of people selling something with Barack Obama's picture on it. Things like posters, plates and plaques. There are also coins. But some of the coins are regular quarters with stickers on them. Collectors think those coins will never be worth more than 25 cents.
• Obama, Stars Headline Inaugural Concert
  President-elect Barack Obama says despite the enormous task a head, he's as hopeful as ever that the U.S. will endure and prevail and fulfill the dreams of its founders. Obama addressed the crowd gathered for a celebrity-packed concert at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday. Some estimates put the attendance as high as several hundred thousand.
• Gingrich Offers Advice For Future GOP Solutions
  Newt Gingrich once engineered a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives. He says Republicans must now demonstrate that their solutions to the country's problems don't bloat the budget.
• Obama Needs Support From Congress, Country
  Come Tuesday, Barack Obama will be on the steps of the Capitol, where he will be sworn into office. That's when the real work will begin. Mr. Obama will need the support of those lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
• Cosby, Poussaint On Merits Of Two Parents
  Comedian Bill Cosby and psychiatrist Dr. Alvin Poussaint have collaborated on books and speeches. They hosted a series of public dialogues to spur change in African American communities across the country.
• Shepherding Crowds In And Out Of Capital
  Hundreds of thousands of people were expected on the mall Sunday for the inaugural concert. Washington, D.C., officials were anxious about the city's trains, buses and roads holding up. Things were slow going through the security checkpoints. And when the concert was over, everyone tried to leave at once.

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