Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Uptick in home sales may be a sign
  The latest numbers show that Twin Cities home sales are up slightly over last year, a sign that the housing market is beginning to stabilize.6:50 a.m.
• Budget to dominate another week at the Capitol
  Twin Cities metro area residents get their turn this week to sound off at state budget listening sessions set up by state lawmakers. Legislators held several of the town hall style meetings last week in out-state Minnesota.7:20 a.m.
• High-voltage power lines could criss-cross Minnesota
  A for-profit transmission line company wants to build a massive power line across seven states, including Minnesota. The line would take wind from the Dakotas and Minnesota to Chicago and farther east.7:45 a.m.
• The cherry takes a trip
  A Twin Cities icon heads off on a restorative vacation today. The cherry from the Walker Art Center's famed "Spoonbridge with Cherry" will be lifted off its mount in the Sculpture Garden and sent away to get a little work done.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• NASA Satellite To Track Carbon Dioxide Globally
  NASA plans to launch a satellite on Tuesday that will help measure carbon dioxide on a global basis. Carbon dioxide is the single most important gas involved in global warming, so understanding where it comes from — and where it goes — is essential.
• Summit Promotes U.S. Budgetary Discipline
  The White House hosts the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Summit on Monday. Even though the economic stimulus package has added to the country's debt, President Obama is expected to promise budgetary discipline in the future.
• Recession Worries Bring Down Wall Street
  Wall Street ended last week down 6 percent. Investors are worried that the recession will last into next year and that the economic stimulus plan will do little to speed up the recovery.
• S.C. Governor Opposes Stimulus But May Take Aid
  Republican Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina is opposed to President Obama's economic stimulus package. However, he has said he may be open to taking some of the stimulus money for his state. In some instances, Sanford says the costs out weigh the benefits.
• Saudi Arabia Wants Help Tracking Down Terrorists
  The Saudi government has issued a most-wanted list of terrorists that it says are operating outside the country — namely in Yemen, Iran and the tribal areas of Pakistan. Authorities are asking for help from Interpol to catch the suspects. The list was issued in response to reports that Saudi militants are regrouping in Yemen to launch attacks in the region.
• Library Of Congress Honors Stevie Wonder
  The Library of Congress commissioned Stevie Wonder to write a classical composition and it will be performed tonight for the first time. Also this week, Wonder will be awarded the Gershwin Award for Lifetime Achievement.
• Chinese Foreclosure Tourists Shopping In U.S.
  A new kind of tourist package is being offered in China. Call it the "U.S. Real Estate Bottom-Fishing Tour." The first of 40 Chinese real estate shoppers are looking in the U.S. this week to buy for foreclosure properties and other housing bargains.
• Electric Cars Still Years Away From Paying Off
  After years of producing gas guzzlers, automakers are focusing more on electric vehicles. At auto shows across the country, the companies are rolling out a variety of electric vehicles. They may pay off one day, but making electric vehicles affordable and practical will take years.
• Downturn Drives Shoppers To Frozen Food Aisles
  With tighter budgets, consumers are eating out less. Many are trying to cut costs by buying more frozen meals at the supermarket. Nutritionists says these new eating habits are not as healthful as they could be.
• Consumers Reject New Tropicana Carton
  PepsiCo, reportedly bowing to consumer demand, is reversing a decision to change the packaging of Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice. The longtime symbol of an orange with a straw in it was replaced with a glass of orange juice. The New York Times reports customers complained. The old design will be back next month.
• Philadelphia Newspaper Inc. Files For Chapter 11
  The owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News has filed for bankruptcy in an effort to restructure its debt load. Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection Sunday.
• US Airways Will Resume Free Soda Service
  US Airways is reversing its soda decision. The airline will no longer charge for soft drinks and coffee served to passengers. It was the only carrier to charge for nonalcoholic beverages. The free drink service will resume in March. Passengers will still have to pay for alchoholic beverages.
• Inspirational Movies Win Big At Oscars
  The ghetto-to-glory story Slumdog Millionaire was named Best Picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday. It won seven other Oscars, including Best Director. Kate Winslet won Best Actress for the Holocaust-themed drama The Reader, and Sean Penn took Best Actor for the title role in Milk.
• Stimulus To Repay Debt To WWII Filipino Veterans
  The economic stimulus bill signed by President Obama contains $198 million to pay a long-overdue debt to Philippine veterans of World War II. They were promised payments for fighting the Japanese but never were paid. Some of those war veterans in California desperately need the money.
• Like Obama, Reagan Faced Harsh Economic Times
  President Obama will deliver his first speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. The main focus will be the economy. The last U.S. president to inherit a serious economic crisis was Ronald Reagan in 1981.

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