Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Senate ads distract and discourage
  Minnesotans are seeing more Senate campaign ads than ever before, thanks to Republican and Democratic candidates flush with campaign cash. Analysts say most of the ads are negative and that they are not designed to educate voters.6:50 a.m.
• Accounting change emerges in bailout debate
  Critics of the Bush administration's Wall Street bailout plan say a change in how assets are accounted for on the books would help. It is called "mark-to-market" accounting, and they want it to go away.7:20 a.m.
• State gas tax, bus fares increase today
  Whether you drive or take the bus, the cost of getting around in Minnesota is going up today. The state gas tax and transit fares all go up, thanks to last spring's transportation bill and recent Met Council action.7:25 a.m.
• Revamped citizenship test focuses more on concepts
  Starting today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin implementing a redesigned naturalization test that strives to be more meaningful.7:40 a.m.
• Twins lose, season ends
  The 2008 season is over for the Minnesota Twins. The White Sox beat the Twins 1-0 Tuesday night in Chicago to clinch the American League Central Division title. Steve Rudolph, who writes for Minnesota Public Radio's Bleacher Bums blog, helps us look back at the season.7:45 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Presidential campaign plays out on search engines.8:20 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Meal-Assembly Kitchens Feeling The Heat
  Just a few years ago, the meal-assembly business was the next big thing. But now, amid competition from big grocery store chains, some kitchens are retooling the idea.
• Presidential Campaigns Battle Over Iowa
  Al Gore won Iowa in 2000, narrowly. President Bush carried the state in 2004, narrowly. This year's presidential contest also looks close, both nationally and in Iowa. Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns are once again targeting the state.
• Stolen Eatery Dollars Used To Pay Court Fine
  For more than 60 years, restaurant diners tacked dollars onto The Homestead's wood paneled walls, each a signed memento of a special time. The restaurant, in a small town near California's Sierra Mountains, is for sale. And an especially clueless thief tried to spend what turned out to be an $8,000 theft of the marked money. Authorities say the man tried to use some of the cash to pay a court fine.
• Bars In Chicago Agree To Voluntary Cutoff
  The Chicago Cubs are in the playoffs, seeking their first World Series in 100 years. We're not saying Cubs fans might have trouble restraining themselves — but the city of Chicago is. Bar owners accepted a temporary ban on alcohol around the Cubs' Wrigley Field and the White Sox' US Cellular Field. In either case, if there is a title-clinching game coming to an end, area bar taps will go dry.
• Senate Votes Wednesday On Bailout
  Wall Street and the White House were shocked when the House failed to pass the financial sector bailout plan. Stock markets regained some ground Tuesday. The financial sector is hoping the Senate can pass a rescue package this week. David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, says the trick will be to get the necessary votes in the House.
• Obama, McCain Court Voters In Israel
  Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain are expanding their get out the vote efforts beyond the U.S. Both campaigns are targeting citizens overseas in an effort to bolster their support. One of the largest expatriate communities is in Israel, where efforts are intensifying.
• U.S. Markets Wait Anxiously For Rescue Plan
  The stock markets regained some ground Tuesday after Monday's big sell-off when lawmakers in the House failed to pass the $700 billion bailout plan. But investors are still anxious as they maintain some hope that the Senate can pass a rescue plan.
• Obama: Middle Class Needs Wall Street Rescue
  Barack Obama campaigned in Reno, Nev., Tuesday before a crowd of 12,000 people. But he didn't give a rip-roaring, crowd-pleasing speech. Instead, the Democratic presidential nominee explained why middle-class Americans have a stake in the Wall Street bailout plan.
• McCain: Market Turmoil Rippling Through Economy
  John McCain campaigned Tuesday in Iowa, where he tried to explain how the financial crisis on Wall Street hurts American businesses. McCain said Main Street is the engine of the U.S. economy.
• Popular Iraqi Song Perfect For A Road Trip
  Since Iraq has become less violent, it's gotten easier to move around the country. Even in Iraq, there's a need for the right song for a road trip. These days, that song is called "The Shotgun."
• McCain Says Bailout Bill Must Pass
  The Republican presidential candidate says it is vital that his Senate colleagues pass a revised version of the Wall Street bailout bill on Wednesday, warning that the U.S. is in its most severe financial crisis ever.
• Bush Signs Loan Package For Troubled Automakers
  President Bush signed into law Tuesday a mammoth spending bill to keep the government running until March 2009. The measure includes a $25 billion loan package for troubled automakers. Marina Whitman, a professor at the University of Michigan, says the loan should help the automakers hang on through the economic recovery.
• Quirk In Ohio Law Permits Same-Day Voting
  People in Ohio this week may register to vote and cast an absentee ballot on the same day. Critics, including state Republicans, say this may open the door to voter fraud. Election officials are hoping to avoid a replay of 2004 when some people had to wait hours to vote.
• FDIC Wants To Raise Deposit Insurance Limit
  In Washington Tuesday, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. asked Congress to temporarily increase the size of accounts it insures above $100,000. It's a measure that has the support of presidential hopefuls and leaders of both parties in Congress.
• NATO Commander Targets Afghan Opium Trade
  After a visit to Afghanistan, U.S. Army Gen. John Craddock, Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe, says he wants a mandate to go after the opium trade. Western troops now have no authority to eradicate poppy fields or go after traffickers. Craddock says unless a change is made, the alliance cannot defeat the Taliban insurgency.

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