Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• 25 years later, Ferraro reflects on groundbreaking nomination
  Twenty-five years ago this Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale made history when he announced he'd chosen Geraldine Ferraro, a woman, to be his running mate.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend forecast.6:55 a.m.
• Stimulus means big boost for Minnesota bus factories
  Some of that funding will end up at New Flyer, the Canadian bus manufacturer with plants in St. Cloud and Crookston.7:20 a.m.
• Top secret nuclear missile facility opens to public
  A once top-secret North Dakota nuclear missile launch facility opens to the public on Monday, offering a look inside what was once one of the nation's most fiercely-protected military operations.7:25 a.m.
• Hastings soldier's body returned to U.S.
  The body of a National Guard soldier who used to live in Hastings, Minnesota, has been returned to the United States.7:35 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Signs Of Economic Life Return To West Bank City
  Nablus is stirring to life after Israel recently eased restrictions on movement in and out of the West Bank city, site of some of the heaviest fighting during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, from 2000 to 2005. But the people of Nablus have learned that economic revitalization and greater freedom can be fleeting.
• Central Valley Disconnect: Rich Land, Poor Nutrition
  California's Central Valley produces many of the fruits and vegetables consumed by Americans — but not by the residents themselves. The area is one of the poorest in the country, with high rates of malnutrition and obesity. Some locals are working to change that.
• Obama To Make Historic Visit To Ghana
  President Obama flies to the West African country of Ghana on Friday. This will be his first trip as president to sub-Saharan Africa. The 24-hour visit is the only stop in Africa and is being heralded as a landmark for Ghana, a trusted ally of Washington.
• New Day Dawns For General Motors
  General Motors has spent the last 40 days in bankruptcy proceedings. The new GM has been cleansed of massive debt and burdensome contracts. The new company must build successful vehicles and win back skeptical consumers.
• Chinese Invest In Scaled Down Neverland Ranch
  Some Chinese investors are planning to build a replica of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, on an island north of Shanghai. A published report says the plan is to invest about $15 million and create a scaled down version of Neverland. It would be part of an agricultural theme park where visitors would also enjoy rural cuisine and Chinese folk music.
• AIG Asks Government To Approve More Bonuses
  Hoping to avoid a backlash over bonuses, American International Group is asking the federal government to weigh in on the insurer's plan to resume paying retention bonuses. Published reports say AIG has asked compensation czar Kenneth Feinberg to approve the payments.
• Justice Memo Sent Out With Editorial Comment
  The Justice Department e-mailed a press release with too much information. The subject line read, "Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment On Internet Bomb Threats." To which somebody added: "Good luck, this one sucked." Officials soon sent a corrected version. A spokeswoman says the line was meant to alert a press office editor to possible typographical errors.
• Dictionary Adds News Words: Frenemy, Staycation
  The Merriam-Webster dictionary has added new entries. Words like frenemy — a friend who's really an enemy — are not exactly new. The point is they're now widely used. Other new entries include: Webisode, flash mob and staycation.
• Rep. Cantor: Small Businesses Need To Create Jobs
  Rising unemployment has Americans worried. Many are concerned that the economy isn't getting any better. And in Congress, the debate over the $787 billion stimulus package has resurfaced. Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican whip from Virginia, talks with Steve Inskeep about the economy. He says investments have to be made in small businesses, so in turn, those businesses will create jobs.
• Growers Worry Blight Could Wipe Out Tomato Crops
  Some tomato plants being sold have a devastating disease called late blight. The blight is turning up on farms and in gardens from Ohio to Maine. Wet weather in parts of the region is creating ideal conditions for blight to gain a foothold.
• Legacy Replaces Toxic In Treasury Jargon
  The Treasury Department has rolled out details of the Legacy Securities Program. It's a federal plan to dispose of toxic financial assets. The government is trying to get away from the word toxic. After all, who would want to buy toxic assets? Legacy assets sound more investor-friendly.
• GOP Won't Let Democrats Dominance Deter Them
  This week's swearing in of one more Democratic senator has given Democrats influence over 60 votes in the Senate. Democratic dominance will be short lived if they can't deliver on issues like the economy and health care. Two political strategists — Democrat Mark Mellman and Republican Mike Murphy — talk with Steve Inskeep about the how the parties will do as each side tries to take control of the issues.
• Democrats Back In Control Of N.Y. Senate
  The political deadlock in New York's legislature has been resolved. For the last month, the state Senate in Albany has been unable to pass bills or even meet. Republicans and Democrats were bickering over who was in charge. On Thursday, a renegade Democrat rejoined his party and returned control of the Senate to Democrats.
• Aung San Suu Kyi's Trial Resumes In Myanmar
  The Democracy leader is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest. The trial is a window into the intractability of the Myanmar government. Even the U.N. Secretary General could not convince the military junta to let him meet with Aung San Suu Kyi last week.
• Sources: Burris Won't Seek Full Senate Term
  The junior Senator from Illinois, Roland Burris, is expected to make an announcement Friday. Sources say Burris, who was appointed by ousted former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has been telling Democrats he will not run for a full term next year. Blagojevich was arrested for trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder for personal gain.

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