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

• 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.
• Race Issue Flares Again In Presidential Campaign
  The issue of race that has been simmering throughout the presidential campaign. It came up again over the weekend as civil rights icon and Democractic Congressman John Lewis issued a statement decrying what he called the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign.
• Palin: 'I Love Small Town USA'
  Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has earned a reputation as an attack dog on the campaign trail, but she softened her tone on Sunday. In St. Clairsville, Ohio, Palin spoke to an audience about workers rights and her love of small town America. Host Renee Montagne reports.
• Clintons Campaign For Obama In Scranton
  Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) joined Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden in Scranton, Penn. Sunday. The plan was to rally votes for Barack Obama but much of the Clintons speeches reminisced of Hillary's bid for the White House.
• European Stocks Soar On Bailout News
  Stock markets soared after European governments announced a series of giant financial rescue plans. The packages were unveiled by Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy and others. They involve government guarantees of bank lending, as well as cash injections into troubled banks. The rescue plans may involve pay limits for CEOs, and the government taking equity stakes. Great Britain's plan involves the government buying shares in three big financial institutions, and becoming an owner of these once-private banks. The U.S. Treasury is also working on a similar plan.
• European Officials Try To End Credit Panic
  The 15 countries that use the Euro as currency met in Paris over the weekend to coordinate measures to guarantee bank refinancing. It's the latest effort to restore faith in European markets.
• October Filled With Baseball, Football
  The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays wowed baseball fans over the weekend. In the meantime, three of college football's top four teams lost on Saturday: No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Missouri and No. 4 LSU.
• Polls Show Obama With Double-Digit Lead
  The third and final presidential debate will take place on Wednesday between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Drama within the campaigns has taken a backseat to conversations about the economy. The latest polls indicate Obama has a double-digt lead over McCain.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Using Mail As An Economic Indicator
  There are lots of ways to measure the health of the economy: the inflation rate, GDP and unemployment numbers. There's another economic index — measured by someone you may have never considered an expert on economic matters — your mailman. Chana Joffe-Walt reports for member station KPLU.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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