Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Franken to argue for election certificate
  Democrat Al Franken's lawyers head to the Minnesota Supreme Court today to ask for an election certificate. If he gets one, it could make it easier for the Democratically-controlled U-S Senate to seat Franken, even as Republican Norm Coleman's lawsuit continues.6:55 a.m.
• Rochester feels the recession, but economy still expands
  Even with the lowest unemployment rate among Minnesota metro areas, Rochester feels the recession's sting.7:20 a.m.
• Will there be jobs for newly-trained nurses?
  The number of jobs in nearly every sector of Minnesota's economy is shrinking. The exception is health care. As of December, there were still new jobs created in health care professions.7:25 a.m.
• Art Hounds: Week of Feb. 5
  "Art Hounds" is a new weekly feature from MPR News. Call it an insider's view of what's exciting in local arts.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Looking For Political Messages In Tehran Prayers
  In Iran, Friday prayers often start with a spiritual lesson and end with current events. This was true last Friday, when the sermon was delivered by Iran's former President Hashemi Rafsanjani.
• Housing Fix? Republicans Push For 4 Percent Loans
  Republicans want to see rates cut to about 4 percent for 30-year fixed-rate home loans for borrowers with decent credit. The move could help to prop up the housing market, and it could save millions of homeowners a lot of money if they refinanced.
• Editor Upholds Ideology Of Iran's Islamic Revolution
  Hossein Shariatmadari, chief editor of Iran's conservative Kayhan newspaper, was once imprisoned and tortured by the Shah of Iran's intelligence agency. Now, he edits an edgy newspaper full of sarcasm for perceived enemies, including the United States.
• Somali Pirates Release Ukrainian Ship
  Somali pirates demanded the biggest ransom ever — $20 million — when they snatched a Ukrainian shipped loaded with tanks and other valuable weapons. That was last September. The pirates are leaving the ship. A Russian news service says the pirates agreed to about $3 million in ransom.
• Vintage Sports Car To Sell At Auction
  A rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante motor car will be sold at auction this weekend in Paris. It's one of only 17 of its kind. The car is expected to sell for millions.
• U.S. Must Drop Arrogance, Iranian Lawmaker Says
  Iran's nuclear program and support for what the U.S. considers to be terrorist organizations have divided the two countries. An Iranian official suggests his country's leaders would be willing to work with the U.S. if Washington dropped preconditions to talks.
• Bush-Era Drilling Lease Sales Voided In Utah
  Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has canceled scores of oil and gas leases sold by the Bush administration in Utah's red rock country. The sales would have brought $6 million to the government, in addition to royalties on any oil or gas production.
• Stimulus Plan Has GOP Senate Votes, Leader Says
  Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi says he expects there will be GOP votes for a stimulus package in the Senate. But he says the package needs to include changes in the tax code to encourage investment in the economy and generate jobs.
• Dairy Farmers Reel As Raw Milk Prices Plunge
  After years of record sales and profits, demand in the dairy industry is way down — and so are the prices farmers can get for their raw milk. That's forcing many to leave the business. Some are being forced to sell their herds.
• Colleges' Health Insurance Fees Questioned
  Parents may be paying twice for their college students' health insurance. Often, they're paying for private insurance plus health insurance fees buried in overall college costs. Now, the attorney general's office in New York state is investigating college disclosure policies about health care fees.
• Ticketmaster, Live Nation Dance Around Merger Talk
  Concert fans aren't happy about the reported merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the dominant player in concert ticket selling and the world's leading concert promoter are near a deal. There's concern that a combined company would have too much control over concert prices.
• Sci-Fi Writer's Memorabilia Goes Up For Sale
  The man credited with coining the term "sci-fi" passed away in December. Science fiction writer and literary agent Forrest Ackerman spent much of his 92 years collecting science fiction and horror novels, posters, costumes and film props. His collection is up for auction this spring. Items include a signed, first-edition copy of Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, and the ring that actor Bela Lugosi wore in the 1931 horror classic, Dracula.
• Obama Announces Executive Pay Caps
  President Obama announced stricter rules on executive compensation at banks receiving "exceptional" levels of aid from the federal government. Some executives will have their annual salary capped at $500,000. Anything above that would have to be paid in stock that won't vest until the firm has paid back its government loans.
• Whistle-Blower Tried To Expose Madoff, He Testifies
  Securities executive Harry Markopolos says it took him only about five minutes to spot a giant investment fraud that he says federal regulators couldn't detect. Markopolos testified before Congress Wednesday on an alleged pyramid scam operated by Bernard Madoff that cost investors more than $50 billion.
• Russia Tries To Control Former Soviet Central Asia
  Just two weeks into President Obama's administration, Russia is moving to reassert its influence over former Soviet republics in Central Asia. Moscow is pushing military cooperation and offering financial aid in what some say is reminiscent of the Kremlin's client-state relationships during the Cold War.

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