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

• 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.
• Citigroup To Shed 50,000 More Jobs
  The financial meltdown continues to take a toll on some of the nation's big banks. Citigroup announced on its Web site Monday that it is cutting at least 50,000 jobs. CEO Vikram Pandit said the cuts will come from both direct layoffs and the sale of business units. Citigroup has already cut 22,000 jobs this year.
• U.S. Troops In Iraq Until End Of 2011?
  Iraq's parliament could vote as early as this week on a security pact with the United States that would allow American forces to remain there for three more years. The Iraqis overwhelmingly approved the deal Sunday.
• Can Lame-Duck Congress Get Anything Done?
  The Senate is back in Washington on Monday for a lame-duck session. The first order of business is a bailout for the auto industry. The second may be an economic stimulus plan. It's unclear whether either measure can overcome Republican objections.
• Cabinet May Indicate Obama's Governing Philosophy
  President-elect Barack Obama is putting together his Cabinet. He has said the Republican Party would be represented. Obama's choices may reveal a lot about his governing philosophy.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• CDC Names Healthiest, Unhealthiest U.S. Cities
  Burlington, Vt., was just named the healthiest city in America by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ninety-two percent of residents there say they are in good or great health. The CDC also named America's most unhealthy city. That dubious honor goes to Huntington, W.Va. Nearly half of the residents there are obese. And half the elderly population have lost all their teeth.
• Ben Folds Finds A 'Way To Normal'
  American singer-songwriter Ben Folds recently released a new album. Titled Way to Normal, the disc showcases one of the former Ben Folds Five frontman's most notable talents: writing songs about breakups.
• Foreigners Playing Americans Star In U.S. TV Shows
  Brits, Aussies and an Irishman star as Americans in a number of U.S. TV shows like House, The Mentalist and Without a Trace. Each network has a show with a non-American star playing an American. What's their appeal?
• France Hails G-20 Summit As Sarkozy's Success
  World leaders gathered in Washington over the weekend for an emergency meeting on the economic crisis. They agreed to an action plan that may reshape the financial world. The summit was the idea of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who represented the European Union. In France, one newspaper said Sarkozy stole the show.
• Sundance Film Festival May Request State Aid
  Film lovers are gearing up for the Sundance Film Festival. It takes place in January, and festival organizers are nervous about festival finances. Apparently, it's hard to get corporate sponsorships in this tough year for the economy. So the film festival may ask the state of Utah for financial aid. Organizers recently met with state officials and said the film festival is good for the state's economy. An official with the Governor's Office of Economic Development responded that everyone is having a tough time right now.
• Burglar Nabbed By Greasy Fingerprints
  If only a Virginia man had followed the advice of many mothers, and made sure to wash his hands. The man was found guilty of breaking into a series of homes. He stole jewelry, appliances and tools. He also raided refrigerators. That's where he got in trouble. Police said he left his greasy fingerprints on an orange juice bottle. Once authorities reached the burglar's home, they discovered stolen goods, including 78 bags of popcorn.

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