Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• 50 years since the day the music died
  Fifty years ago this week, one of the defining moments in rock and roll history occurred, when musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash. Several events are planned to commemorate the anniversary in Clear Lake, Iowa, where they played their last concert.6:20 a.m.
• Pawlenty tobacco plan raises questions
  Tobacco money could be a big piece of the budget puzzle as Minnesota lawmakers try to plug a nearly $5 billion deficit.7:20 a.m.
• Election official's testimony to continue in recount trial
  Minnesota's Deputy Secretary of State resumes testifying this morning about the history and details of the Senate recount process. It marks the fourth day of the trial in Republican Norm Coleman's Senate election contest.7:25 a.m.
• Two businesses in Winona join forces to survive the recession
  In Winona a restaurant and a bookstore moved in together to cut expenses. So far, so good.7:40 a.m.
• Homebuilders shift to remodeling in dwindling economy
  With home construction in freefall, many builders have turned to remodeling to keep their businesses afloat. However, the remodeling business is going through its own tough times.7:45 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Technology enthusiasts have been cooing over the Palm Pre, a touch screen phone previewed earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show. Many reviewers have taken note of the similarity to Apple's iPhone, especially in its use of multi-touch technology, which allows users to control a graphical interface with multiple fingers. Apple has noticed, too. Acting CEO Tim Cook made a lot of noise recently when he said Apple will use all its weapons to defend its intellectual property. And Apple was granted a new patent on touch screens technology this week. It all points to possible legal battle between the powerful Apple and Palm, which desperately needs a hit product.8:20 a.m.
• Governor Pawlenty's budget proposal will impact the arts
  Governor Tim Pawlenty's budget proposal and the federal stimulus package, making its way through Congress, could have a substantial impact on the state's arts landscape. Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola discusses how this legislation could affect the arts.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Between Takes: The 'Kind Of Blue' Sessions
  In honor of Miles Davis' 50th-anniversary Kind of Blue reissue, music writer Ashley Kahn looks at a few of the stories behind the scenes of the legendary recording sessions.
• Brain Study Indicates Why Some Memories Persist
  A new study may explain why people with Alzheimer's often remember events from the distant past, but not what they did yesterday. The area first damaged by the disease is the hippocampus, a structure deep inside the brain thought to be necessary to form new memories, but it may play little or no role as memories get older.
• Doctors Tame One Of Cancer's Deadliest Forms
  The chances of surviving cancer have been increasing in recent years. One of the most dramatic success stories in cancer care involves multiple myeloma — among the deadliest types of the disease. Doctors say new drugs can suppress the bone marrow cancer for years.
• Obama Still Focused On Bipartisan Stimulus Plan
  A day after traveling to Capitol Hill to meet with Republicans on the stimulus bill, President Obama took his case to the American people. He assembled the media in the East Room of the White House, where he and corporate leaders made the case for quick action. Their efforts had no effect on the GOP. The bill passed the House without Republican support, but Obama continues to look ahead to final passage of a bipartisan proposal.
• How Would Shift Toward Diplomacy Really Play Out?
  The Pentagon dwarfs the State Department and every other federal agency in terms of budget and manpower. President Obama has vowed to return diplomacy to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy, but what would it actually take to shift resources and clout from the military to diplomats?
• CIA Station Chief Accused Of Sexual Assaults
  The CIA's top officer in Algeria is under investigation for sexual assault. At least two Muslim women say he drugged them and then raped them. The story was first reported by ABC News.
• Somali Government In Exile; Islamists Take Over
  Somalia hasn't had a functioning government since 1991, but this week, its transitional government collapsed completely. Radical Islamist fighters overran the seat of government in the town of Baidoa. Leaders of the ousted government are now in exile in Djibouti.
• Groups Seek To Shield Gay-Marriage Ban Donations
  A U.S. judge is being asked to halt the disclosure of the names of donors to two organizations that supported Proposition 8, California's voter-approved initiative banning same-sex marriage. However, public disclosure is at the core of the campaign finance laws.
• House Votes Against Delaying Digital Switch
  The switch from analog TV to digital is still set for Feb. 17. Democrats in the Senate tried to postpone the date to June. They fear millions are not prepared for the transition and will be left without a way to watch TV. House Republicans said a delay would confuse customers, and would be costly to companies that would have to keep broadcasting in analog for another four months.
• More Bad News Brewing At Starbucks
  Coffee giant Starbucks says it is closing 200 more U.S. stores and 100 abroad. Nearly 7,000 employees may lose their jobs in a new round of store closures and cost cutting. With quarterly profits down sharply and the economy getting weaker, Starbucks hopes to slash its costs by $500 million this year.

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