Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Single women who are moms by choice
  The number of single mothers has been on the rise in the U.S. for decades. While many of these women are teens and divorced moms, a growing number are women who have made a conscious decision to have kids on their own.6:55 a.m.
• Candidates spend $31 million in Twin Cities on political ads
  Candidates, special interest groups and political parties spend millions of dollars trying to influence who you'll vote for on Election Day. One of the best, and most expensive, ways to do that is through TV advertising. MPR News took a look at how much the candidates have spent on TV advertising in the Twin Cities.7:20 a.m.
• U.S. Senate campaign enters final weeks
  The latest polls show a close race between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and DFL challenger Al Franken. Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley is in the race as well, polling at near 20percent. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with key strategists from each campaign.7:40 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Writer calls for a science & tech new deal.8:20 a.m.
• Election officials prepare for November 4
  If you are planning to vote in Minnesota on Nov. 4 and haven't registered yet, you'll have to register at your polling place on election day. Tuesday was the deadline for pre-registration in the state. DFLer Mark Ritchie is Minnesota's Secretary of State; he oversees the electoral process in the state.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Mixers Help Marriage-Minded Muslims Find A Match
  Here's something you don't see every day: unmarried Muslim men and women mingling with one another. That's taboo in a lot of their cultures. At a recent Muslim singles event in Virginia, attendees are not interested in dating. They want to find a spouse.
• ACORN Has Long Been In Republicans' Cross Hairs
  Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, the Republican National Committee and others have accused ACORN of widespread voter registration fraud. It's the latest, and most bitter, battle in a long conflict between conservatives and the grassroots group.
• Obama, McCain To Sit Down For Final Debate
  Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain meet Wednesday night for the final presidential debate. With less than three weeks to go before the election, McCain needs to have a strong performance. Polls show Obama leading nationally and in battleground states. McCain and Obama will be seated at a desk with the moderator, Bob Schieffer of CBS.
• Young Christians Diverge From Elders On Issues
  A new survey shows young Christians are diverging from their elders on social issues. The survey, for a group called Faith in Public Life, asked questions about issues like gay marriage, civil unions and abortion.
• Economy Steals Spotlight Among Debate Issues
  The issue that has taken over the upcoming election is the economy. Uncertainty in the markets has forced presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain to adjust their economic proposals. Both candidates unveiled their plans this week — just in time for Wednesday's final debate.
• Fire Season Under Way In California
  Firefighters in the Los Angeles area are battling two big wildfires. It's been a ferocious and expensive start to California's traditional wildfire season. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says the cash-strapped state will spend whatever it takes to support firefighting efforts.
• Russia's Wealthy Hit Hard By Financial Turmoil
  Super-wealthy Russians who benefited from the nation's oil-boom economy spent millions on luxury homes, works of art and lavish lifestyles. But in the recent financial turmoil, Russia's rich have lost billions of dollars.
• European Rescue Plan Being Ironed Out In Brussels
  European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels, just days after injecting billions of dollars into the financial system to loosen the credit market and bail out banks. The plan, involving 15 Eurozone countries, will be ironed out Wednesday.
• Ex-GOP Strategist: Wall Street Needs Parole Officer
  The Bush administration is moving forward with the financial bailout plan. Kevin Phillips, a former Republican strategist now known for his scathing criticisms of Republican policy, says Wall Street needs not only a rescue, but also a parole officer — and it should not be Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
• Are All Those Angioplasties Necessary?
  A new study helps explain why American medicine is so expensive, and why it's so hard to cut costs. It focuses on angioplasty — one of the most common procedures in modern medicine. The research finds that doctors often do angioplasty before finding out if patients would do just as well with treatment that costs a tenth as much.
• New Hampshire's Independents Empowered
  A month ago, New Hampshire was considered a battleground state. Today, it's leaning toward Democrat Barack Obama. If that shift holds, it will be due to the changing allegiances of independent voters.
• Don't Shop — Swap For It On The Internet
  Since many people find themselves short of cash these days, the age-old practice of bartering is becoming more popular. Consumers are turning to the Internet to find goods or services that don't require cash. Among the "barter" listings on Craigslist is one that offers exotic dance lessons in exchange for an iPhone.
• Critics Say Rules Too Vague To Cap CEO Pay
  The legislation authorizing the government to spend up to $700 billion to help shore up the banking system includes provisions that cap what those banking executives may make. Critics say, however, that the standards are too vague to be anything more than political cover.
• Contract Talks Collapse Between Boeing, Machinists
  Talks between striking machinists and Boeing broke down this week. The economy has changed dramatically since workers walked off the job in early September, but they remain committed.
• Obama Ads Embedded In Video Games
  Barack Obama has become the first presidential candidate to embed a political ad in a video game. New technology via the Internet allows ads to pop up on billboards and other signage within games to get the player's attention. The Obama campaign is running ads in 18 video games, targeting 10 states that allow early voting.

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