Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minor party candidates for U.S. Senate offer voters an option
  Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, Democrat Al Franken and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley aren't the only candidates for running for U.S. Senate. In November, voters will see two additional names on the ballot -- Charles Aldrich and James Niemackl.6:20 a.m.
• Top earners react to tax plans
  John McCain and Barack Obama both have big plans for the federal tax code. But the biggest difference between them involves what happens to families who make more than $250,000 dollars a year. Obama would raise their income taxes. McCain wouldn't.7:20 a.m.
• Chris Farrell analyzes the financial markets
  Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell analyzes the financial markets and the economy. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.7:25 a.m.
• Minnesota Power customers upset over rate hike proposal
  Some northeast Minnesota residents are charged up over a plan to hike electric rates. Duluth-based Minnesota power is proposing price increases that, in percentage terms, will hit low income households and small businesses a lot harder than big industries.7:35 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Silicon valley venture capital dries up.8:20 a.m.
• Remembering former State Sen. Allan Spear
  The former President of the Minnesota Senate, Allan Spear, has died at the age of 71. Spear passed away Saturday from complications following heart surgery. The DFLer represented Minneapolis for 28 years in the legislature. In an interview in 1974, he revealed that he was gay, becoming one of the first openly gay legislators in the country.8:25 a.m.
• Life outside the projects in Chicago
  Chicago was known for having some of the largest and most dangerous public housing complexes in the country. In recent years, however, these projects are being torn down. Chicago, along with other cities, is moving its public housing residents to mixed income housing. The hope is that if poor people move out of areas of concentrated poverty, they'll have more opportunities.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• The Stratotanker: A Flying Piece Of History Endures
  More than 50 years after its first flight, the KC-135 tanker is the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force, a flying gas station that loiters over the skies of Iraq and Afghanistan every day. And it will keep flying for at least 30 more years — there isn't even a contract for a replacement.
• Indiana County Is A Presidential Election Oracle
  Residents of Vigo County, Ind., have picked the winner in nearly every presidential election since 1892. When it comes to such elections, the nation has no better bellwether. But this year's contest is anything but clear-cut.
• Cleric's Remarks Spark Sunni-Shia Tensions
  The latest dispute among Sunni and Shiite Muslims is spreading across several countries. The alarm was sparked by a warning from a prominent Sunni Muslim scholar that Shia were expanding their influence and converting Sunnis.
• Euopean Leaders Move Forward On Bailout
  Leaders from the 15 countries that use the Euro as currency met at a summit in Paris over the weekend to plan a bailout for European banks.They've developed an international program in hopes of stimulating markets across Europe.
• Pakistan Steps Up Efforts To Combat Al-Qaida
  Fighting has been on the increase in northwest Pakistan. The Pakistani government is trying to crack down on Taliban and al-Qaida strongholds.
• Professor Wants Pairs' 1997 Nobel Revoked
  Economists Robert Merton and Myron Scholes won the 1997 Nobel Prize in economics. Their formula for evaluating stock options laid the ground work for risk-management in modern financial markets. Nasim Taleb, a professor at New York University and a hedge fund owner, wants the prize revoked because he says their formula doesn't work.
• Iraq's Christians Ask For Protection
  Christians are a minority in Iraq, and there has been a rapid increase of attacks against them this year. The assaults raise fear about the future of Christians in Iraq. One church leader has asked the Iraqi government and the U.S. military for help.
• Britain Rescues Three Major Banks
  The British government said Monday it will inject $64 billion into some of its largest financial institutions. British taxpayer funds will to go the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Lloyds TSB which is merging with a big mortgage lender. The bailout means top officials at these banks will leave their posts.
• Municipal Bonds Hurt By Credit Crisis
  Cities across the country have put repairs on hold because of a lack of income. Many depend on selling municipal bonds to cover upgrades, but Wall Street's financial crisis has hurt local bond markets. Maria Carter reports for member station KCUR.
• GM, Chrysler Merger Rumors
  Detroit automakers have been suffering. There are worries that GM, Ford and Chrysler might not have enough money to make it through the downturn. And over the weekend, there were reports that the carmakers could be looking into dramatic moves including a possible merger between General Motors and Chrysler.

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