Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Tough economy could create highway hazards
  Hard economic times could mean dangerous times on Minnesota highways. Auto mechanics say cash-strapped customers are putting off necessary auto maintenance. And, with few people buying new cars, mechanics say they're seeing a lot more older cars coming through their shops, cars that in some cases have been pulled out of retirement.6:55 a.m.
• Shifting vote totals not unusual
  The changes in the vote totals in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race may be vexing the leading vote-getter, but a look at past elections shows it's nothing unusual.7:20 a.m.
• What may lie ahead in a statewide recount
  The automatic statewide recount in Minnesota's unresolved U.S. Senate race is expected to get underway next Wednesday. During the recount, some ballots are likely to be challenged by one side or the other.7:25 a.m.
• Republicans regroup after bad election showing
  Republican governors from around the country begin meeting in Miami today. One of the big topics on their agenda is how the GOP can regain its footing after last week's election.7:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Slump Leads More Firms To Halt 401(k) Matching
  As the stock market has dropped, millions of Americans are afraid to look at their 401(k) accounts. At a small but growing number of companies — including GM — the news is worse: They're suspending the matching benefits, where employers chip in to match workers' contributions.
• Going Out On A Limb With A Tree-Person Ratio
  Using NASA satellite photos of Earth, we can calculate that the world supports roughly 61 trees per person. But are we using up our allotments? An ecology professor and her students look at how we burn through wood-based resources.
• Concha Buika's African-Inspired Flamenco
  Concha Buika's sultry voice and varied musical influences have earned her worldwide acclaim. Her latest album, La Nina de Fuego, fuses the musical traditions of Africa and Spain with jazz, soul and dance and has been nominated for the Latin Grammy Album of the Year.
• Eight Isn't Enough: G-20 Countries To Meet In D.C.
  Instead of gathering leaders from the Group of Eight to talk about the financial crisis, the Group of 20 is converging on Washington, D.C., this week. The Bush administration is playing down expectations, but economic experts say pressure will be put on the new Obama administration.
• G-20 To Work On Reviving Economic Downturn
  Leaders of the world's 20 largest industrial nations and emerging economies meet this week in Washington, D.C., to discuss the global economic downturn. Simon Johnson, a professor at MIT and a former IMF chief economist, tells Ari Shapiro that the meeting could be a springboard for a more fundamental restructuring of the international financial system.
• Recount May Decide Franken-Coleman Senate Race
  A tight Senate race from last week is getting even tighter. The latest numbers from Minnesota indicate incumbent Republican Norm Coleman is ahead of Democratic challenger Al Franken by slightly more than 200 votes. Franken talks with Renee Montagne about the narrow margin, which triggered an automatic recount set for next week.
• Ex-NBA Star Now Sacramento's First Black Mayor
  Former Phoenix Suns' point guard Kevin Johnson beat a two-term incumbent last week by running on a platform of change. At the same time, the nonprofit organization he founded, which works to revitalize poor neighborhoods, is being investigated for misuse of public funds.
• Certain Green Industries Have Job Openings
  Tens of thousands of layoffs in the Midwest have left a huge pool of job-seekers. In Ohio, wind turbine makers say they have jobs available that offer good pay and benefits. But they say they are having trouble finding skilled workers for that renewable energy industry.
• Gas Is Down, But Most Airfares Stay High
  Gas prices have fallen more than $1.50 a gallon since the middle of September and are at their lowest levels since February 2007. But airline customers are finding that fuel surcharges added to offset higher costs have stuck around.
• Microsoft, Google Court Verizon Wireless
  Microsoft and Google are vying to become the default Web browser for Verizon Wireless handsets. Prominence is key when it comes to the Web. Verizon has yet to make a decision, but The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is closer to winning the deal.

Resources

• Marketplace Tech Report®
• Marketplace Morning Report®
• Mark Seeley's WeatherTalk

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories