Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Panel hears motion in Coleman-Franken dispute
  A three judge panel heard arguments this afternoon on Democrat Al Franken's move to dismiss Republican Norm Coleman's Senate election contest.6:20 a.m.
• Poet Nikki Giovanni comes to Fitzgerald Theater
  A powerful poet will grace the stage of the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul Thursday night. Nikki Giovanni is part of the Talking Volumes regional book club.6:25 a.m.
• Potholes get bigger as budgets get tighter
  Cities with aging infrastructure are particularly nervous about pending state budget cuts. White Bear Lake has 26 miles of streets awaiting reconstruction, and some projects may need to be delayed.6:50 a.m.
• Farmers polish marketing skills
  A tightening agricultural economy has farmers exploring every option they have to get a little more for what they produce. For some farmers that means entering the complex world of grain marketing.6:55 a.m.
• Dems talk of seating Franken
  There are movements in Washington to possbily seat Democrat Al Franken, even before the legal challenge to the election recount is settled. Franken finished the recount ahead of Republican Norn Coleman by 225 votes, but Coleman is challenging the results in court.7:20 a.m.
• Were votes counted twice? Maybe
  Minneapolis election judges may be asked to take the stand in Minnesota's U.S. Senate election contest. But many election judges say it's hard to remember what seemed like minor details from a hectic day two months ago.7:25 a.m.
• Pawlenty pushes for more control over local budgets
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been saying he wants to change the way government operates -- not only at the State Capitol, but inside city halls and county board rooms as well.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Mark Bittman: Eating Right Can Save The Planet
  In his new book, Food Matters, Mark Bittman writes about the environmental impact of industrial farming — and how individuals can make a difference by cutting down on the amount of animal products they consume.
• 'Benjamin Button' Leads Oscar Race With 13 Nods
  The nominees for the 81st Academy Awards were announced this morning. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button leads the pack with 13 nominations, including Best Picture. Critic Kenneth Turan has some thoughts on the nominees list.
• Oscar Nominees Due: Who'll Make the Cut?
  Nominations are due at 5:30 a.m., Hollywood time. Renee Montagne talks to Entertainment Weekly writer Dave Karger about his predictions on which movies and movie stars will make the list — and who'll wake up to bad news.
• In China, Starbucks Market Is Piping Hot
  China's economy may be slowing, but it is still one of the fastest-growing markets for Starbucks. Since China's Lunar New Year holiday is Monday, Starbucks is tapping further into the market by rolling out a new coffee blend that includes beans grown in China. The company says it's been working with growers in southwestern China, an area is known for coffee production.
• Obama Not First President To Have Oath Do-Over
  The White House emphasizes that President Obama took the presidential oath a second time out of "an abundance of caution." In 1923, Calvin Coolidge seems to have really needed his do-over. The then vice president was at his father's farm in Vermont, when President Warren G. Harding suddenly died. Coolidge's father, a notary, quickly swore his son in as president. It turned out, that authority applied only to taking office in Vermont. Chester A. Arthur also had to take the oath again.
• Obama To Order Guantanamo Closed Within A Year
  President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order Thursday closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center within a year and stopping military trials of terror suspects held there. It's one of a number of foreign policy decisions expected in coming days over how the United States treats terrorism suspects and foreign combatants.
• Caroline Kennedy Withdraws Senate Bid
  Caroline Kennedy has ended her bid to win appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton and once held by her late uncle, Bobby Kennedy. In a statement released early Thursday, Kennedy says she told New York Gov. David Patterson she is withdrawing for personal reasons. She was considered a favorite for the New York Senate seat, though she has never held elective office.
• Skates In Cleveland, Eyes On Vancouver Olympics
  The U.S. Figure Skating Championships are taking place this week in Cleveland. The women skate Thursday night in the short program competition and they'll skate again on Saturday in the long program. USA Today columnist Christine Brennan tells Renee Montagne that many are watching the competition with an eye toward the Winter Olympic Games next year in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Obama Gets Down To Business On First Day
  President Barack Obama is freezing all pending federal rules changes left by the Bush administration. He also froze salaries for White House staffers who make more than $100,000 a year. And because of some bungled wording during Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice John Roberts re-administered the oath to Obama Wednesday.
• After Taxing Hearing, Panel Likely To OK Geithner
  President Obama's pick for Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, began his confirmation hearing with an apology Wednesday. He told members of the Senate Finance Committee the tax questions that delayed his confirmation were the result of his own careless mistakes. But he added the mistakes were unintentional. The panel is expected to vote Thursday on his nomination.
• Oregon's AG Investigates Portland Mayor's Affair
  Oregon's state attorney general has agreed to investigate claims made by the mayor of Portland that he lied to cover up a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old. Mayor Sam Adams has admitted that he lied to cover up his relationship with a teenage legislative intern because rumors were being spread that Adams had sex with a minor.
• Administration Wants Credit Flowing Again
  The financial system may be getting a little better. For example, mortgage rates are lower. But many banks are still on the verge of collapse, and they are not lending enough. So the Obama administration is expected to move quickly to intervene, trying to get more money flowing to businesses and average people.
• iPod, iPhone Sales Boost Apple's Bottom Line
  Shoppers snapped up so many iPods, iPhones and Mac computers that Apple Inc. sales for the most recent quarter rose nearly 6 percent. Profits were up 2 percent. Other consumer technology companies aren't doing so well. Sony is forecasting a record loss, Nokia is reporting a big drop in sales and IBM is cutting jobs.
• China's Economy Slows To 6.8 Percent Last Quarter
  By most countries' standards, China's economy is flourishing. It grew almost 7 percent in the last quarter and 9 percent for 2008. Still, that was a slowdown, snapping a five-year streak of double-digit growth. China is the world's third-largest economy after the United States and Japan.
• China Gets Ready For Lunar New Year
  China celebrates the New Year with a big bash on state TV featuring movie stars, political big wigs and hundreds of dancers. This year, for the first time, the official show has competition according to The Wall Street Journal. It's a homemade variety show aimed at the little people. The amateur acts include a man who does tricks on a bicycle and a dancing troop of monks.

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