Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Turning from coal means more demand for nuclear and alternative energy sources
  New requirements to reduce carbon emissions in Minnesota are forcing utilities to re-think how they generate power.7:20 a.m.
• Coal gasification faces an uncertain future
  A proposed coal gas project for the Iron Range fights for life as similar projects are dropped.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Nations Slated to Host U.S. Missile System Skeptical
  While the U.S. is trying to calm some of Moscow's anxieties over a missile defense it wants to put in Poland and the Czech Republic, skepticism is growing in the intended host nations, as well. Russian President Vladimir Putin remains critical of U.S. plans.
• Vibrations Shown to Build Bone, Reduce Fat
  The stem cell in bone marrow can become muscle, bone or fat. A biomedical engineer believes he has found a way to accomplish making muscle and bone. It involves standing on a gently vibrating platform for 15 minutes a day.
• Argentina's First Lady Elected President
  Argentina's first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner swept passed 13 other challengers to win the presidential election. She replaces her husband, President Nestor Kirchner. Argentina's first democratically elected woman president promised to extend economic revival.
• Nissan's Pivo Car Monitors Driver Mood
  Nissan's Pivo has technology that recognizes "mood." The robot on the dashboard has cameras which monitor eye movement. To make sure the driver isn't sleepy or angry. Nissan says drivers are less likely to have accidents if they have a little robot telling them to take it easy.
• Lead Democrats for President Skip Florida Meeting
  All of the leading Democratic presidential candidates skip Florida's Democratic National Committee convention. It is part of the penalty Florida Democrats are paying for the decision to move the presidential primary up to Jan. 29. The national party says that violates an agreement.
• N.Y. School Bans Halloween Costumes
  School's have banned sodas, cupcakes and now Halloween costumes. The principal of New York's Long Beach High blames Captain Underpants — and three senior girls, who last year dressed up as the hero of the popular kids' books.
• Pennsylvania Man Revives Sasquatch Debate
  A Pennsylvania hunter captures images of a mysterious furry creature. He says it was unlike anything he'd seen. So he submitted the photos to the Bigfoot Research Organization, which agreed it could be a juvenile Bigfoot. More likely, says the states game commission: a bear with mange.
• Darfur Peace Talks Halted
  A weekend conference in Libya intended to bring peace to Sudan's troubled Darfur region was hobbled in part by the absence of key black rebel groups who are considered essential to any lasting agreement. What their absence portends has become a main topic of the discussions.
• Iowa, Clinton, Debates
  Iowa plans to kick off the 2008 election year with Democrats and Republicans convening their caucuses Jan. 3. That's earlier than ever. The perception remains that Sen. Hillary Clinton, a Democrat from New York, is the candidate to beat.
• Critics Fault Response to San Diego Fires
  A week after wildfires in southern California force a quarter-million residents to flee their homes, critics complain that mass evacuations were only necessary because San Diego's fire response wasn't up to the challenge. The fires are now largely under control.
• Fear Looms Over Rural Southern Thailand
  In Thailand, tensions between the growing separatist Muslim population and the Buddhists are intensifying. The separatist insurgency is worsening in the south. Two longtime friends, one Buddhist and the other Muslim, are being torn apart by the conflict.
• 'Eat Cheese' Explores Compulsive Eating
  Actor and comedian Jeff Garlin's new movie I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With is about an overweight actor in Chicago who lives with his mother and drowns his job and romance sorrows in junk food. Garlin wrote, directed and stars in the new film.
• UAW Set for Talks with Financially Strapped Ford
  The United Auto Workers unions is set to begin final negotiations with Ford now that its contracts are ratified at Chrysler and General Motors. But negotiations could be especially tough. Ford, which lost $12 billion last year, is seen as financially weaker that the other two carmakers.
• Merrill Lynch May Oust CEO Stan O'Neal
  The board of investment brokerage firm Merrill Lynch is expected to send Chief Executive Stan O'Neal packing. Reports say he could be forced out as early as today. Last week the financial giant announced the largest loss in Wall Street memory: a write-off of more than $8 billion.
• Country Singer Porter Wagoner Dies at 80
  Celebrated country singer Porter Wagoner has died at 80. He had been hospitalized for lung cancer. Wagoner joined Nashville's Grand Ole Opry in 1957; 10 years later, he hired Dolly Parton, then 21, as his duet partner. Wagoner was often known as much for his wardrobe as his music.

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