Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota Opera launches major initiative
  The Minnesota Opera is announcing a new multi-million dollar program called Minnesota OperaWorks that will make it a national leader in contemporary opera. And due to good luck, or good planning they've already raised more than half the funds.6:55 a.m.
• Volunteers gear up for the recount
  The recount to decide the winner in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race gets under way this week. Volunteers for both incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman and his DFL challenger Al Franken were trained over the weekend to observe the count and watch for problems.7:20 a.m.
• Markets with Chris Farrell
  Minnesota Public Radio's chief economics correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest in the financial markets.7:25 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Technology still frustrates many Americans.8:20 a.m.
• Oberstar reacts to latest bailout plan
  When members of Congress return to Washington Monday for a lame duck session, they will consider whether to provide bailout money to the struggling U.S. auto industry. U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, a DFLer from Minnesota's 8th District, discusses the latest bailout developments.8:25 a.m.
• County officials prepare for Senate recount
  County elections officials all over the state are preparing to recount the ballots in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race.8:40 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Gift Card Warning: Check Retailer's Health
  Gift cards are popular holiday presents, but retail bankruptcies may render some cards worthless. Consumers tend to hold onto the cards for months — if not years — after receiving them. And many people spend more than the value of the card once they get to the store.
• Will Obama's White House Be Open To The Media?
  President-elect Barack Obama talks as though he'll throw the White House doors open and let in the sunshine. But some reporters who have been covering the Obama campaign are a little doubtful about what that means for journalists.
• Hispanic Turnout May Spur Immigration Overhaul
  In recent years, politicians have treated immigration as the third rail. But as the number of Hispanics grows — and as they turn out in greater numbers at the polls — advocates say the issue of immigration will be harder to ignore.
• Obama: Seamless Security Transition A Priority
  President-elect Barack Obama says national security and the economy will be priorities when he takes office in January. He told CBS' 60 Minutes that it's important to get a national security team in place because transition periods can be vulnerable. For part of the interview, he was joined by future first lady Michelle Obama.
• Winds Die Down, Fires Still Burning In Southern Calif.
  Three major wildfires continue to burn around the greater Los Angeles area. Thousands of residents, mostly in Orange County, remain under evacuation orders. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says more resources are needed for state and local agencies.
• Wildfire Forces Medical Center Evacuation
  One of the wildfires in Southern California burned the edge of the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center campus. Power was knocked out and officials were forced to evacuate two dozen critical patients. Carla Nino, assistant hospital administrator, talks with Renee Montagne about how the evacuation went.
• Researchers: New Explanation For Alzheimer's
  Researchers think they've discovered precisely what damages brain cells and causes memory loss in people who have Alzheimer's disease. Brain scientists present the latest evidence at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience this week in Washington, D.C.
• Ethics Rules May Limit Makeup Of Transition Team
  Barack Obama ran for president promising to change the way Washington works. Now that he's won, he is indeed starting to change the rules. His transition team has imposed tighter ethics restrictions, and that might affect the appointment of officials for the new administration.
• It's Official: Japan Is In A Recession
  Japan says its economy contracted in the third quarter, the second consecutive quarter of decline, officially putting the world's No. 2 economy in a recession. Figures show that Japanese companies sharply cut spending amid the global slowdown.
• Affordable Housing Rises Out Of Foreclosure Crisis
  Lancaster, Calif., is a high desert community on the far outskirts of Los Angeles. Officials there are spending millions of dollars to fix up foreclosed properties and make them into affordable housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced $4 billion worth of grants to local development agencies to do the same thing.

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