Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• New book tells history of Duluth's famous lift bridge
  The aerial lift bridge is an icon in Duluth. When raised, the bridge allows giant ships to enter and leave the protected waters of Duluth Harbor. Tony Dierckins is the author of "Crossing the Canal: An Illustrated History of Duluth's Aerial Bridge."6:55 a.m.
• Recount begins at county level
  Election officials throughout Minnesota have begun recounting nearly three million ballots to determine who won the U.S. Senate race.7:20 a.m.
• Wall Street mess worries wind power developers
  Renewable energy faces new financial challenges as a result of Wall Street woes.7:25 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  More mainstream video, ads in YouTube's future.8:20 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Eric Holder Could Be Obama's Top Justice Pick
  President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for U.S. attorney general seems to be Eric Holder. Holder was the No. 2 official in the Justice Department under President Clinton. The Obama team says no final decision has been made.
• Rep. Frank Wants Bailout Shared With Automakers
  CEOs from GM, Ford and Chrysler appear Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee. Rep. Barney Frank, the committee's chairman, has drafted legislation extending the $700 billion rescue program to Detroit's Big Three automakers — and requiring that they meet conditions in return, Frank says.
• Israel Reseals Border Crossings With Gaza Strip
  The U.N. is warning that hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip face severe shortages of fuel and food because Israel has sealed the borders. Israel allowed minimal aid in before reclosing the borders, citing Palestinian rocket and mortar fire. The informal truce between Israel and Hamas, which controls Gaza, has all but collapsed.
• Tibetans Gather In India To Rethink China Strategy
  Hundreds of Tibetan exiles have convened in Dharamsala, India, to discuss a new China strategy. China has warned against any efforts at Tibetan independence. Earlier this month, the Dalai Lama acknowledged that talks with China to win greater autonomy had not been successful. It was a significant comment.
• Gear Heads Prepare For Los Angeles Auto Show
  It's time for the Los Angeles Auto Show, the first major North American auto show of the season. It's known for presenting cutting-edge technology and design. Mark Phelan, automotive critic for the Detroit Free Press, talks with Renee Montagne about what will — and won't — be on the floor of the convention center this year.
• Census Bureau Needs Temporary Workers
  The Census Bureau is recruiting people to help with the next big population count — the 2010 Census. It's hiring about 140,000 workers to help update address lists. After the census is mailed out in 2010, the bureau plans to hire about a million people to follow up with residents who don't mail back the form.
• Third-Quarter Home Sales Drop
  New home sales figures are out, and the news isn't good. The National Association of Realtors says 4 out of 5 metropolitan areas saw home prices drop in the third quarter, compared with the year before. Meanwhile, sales of existing homes fell in 32 states.
• Auto Execs: Economic Downturn Is The Bad Guy
  Executives from Detroit's Big Three automakers are back on Capitol Hill — appearing before a House committee Wednesday. They pleaded Tuesday with the Senate Banking Committee for a $25 billion lifeline. They warned of a national economic catastrophe should they collapse, resulting in millions of layoffs. They said the severe economic downturn is the reason they need aid.
• Navajo Roll Dice, Open Casino
  The Navajo Nation opens its first casino Wednesday in Arizona. It's the first of six casinos the tribe is planning in Arizona and New Mexico. There are concerns among the Navajo that they waited too long to get into the casino business.
• 'Tis Not The Season For Retail Jobs
  The poor outlook for the holiday shopping season is forcing retailers to slash seasonal jobs. L.L. Bean is filling 23 percent fewer positions this year. The nationwide squeeze on holiday work comes just as more Americans say they will look for second jobs because of the uncertain economy.
• Toyota Cuts North American Production For 2 Days
  The world's biggest automaker says it will stop production at all U.S. and Canadian factories for two days next month. Toyota's assembly, transmission and engine plants will close in late December as the company tries to work through excess inventory. The Japanese carmaker is in much better financial shape than its U.S. rivals, but sales of Toyota's vehicles also are plunging.
• Jobless Manager Turns To Sandwich Board
  It may be a tough economy, but one man in New York only looks like he's begging. Paul Nawrocki lost his job as a manager at a toy company and has spent most of the year without a job. Now the 59-year-old businessman puts on a suit and tie — and a sandwich board that reads, "Almost Homeless."
• Salvation Army Tests Plastic At Red Kettles
  Volunteers for The Salvation Army will soon be out with their red kettles, asking for donations. They've had trouble because so many people only have credit cards on hand. Now, five bell-ringers in El Paso County, Colo., will be the first to accept credit and debit cards along with coins and bills.
• Senator-Elect Begich: Alaskans Wanted Change
  In the U.S. Senate race in Alaska, Democrat Mark Begich has claimed victory over six-term Republican incumbent Ted Stevens. The Anchorage mayor's victory moves Senate Democrats within two seats of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority. Senator-elect Begich tells Renee Montagne that he won because Alaskans are ready to focus on the future.
• Lieberman Gets To Keep Committee Chairmanship
  Democrats in the Senate decided Tuesday that Joe Lieberman may keep his committee chairmanship — even though he campaigned for Republican John McCain. Democrats secretly voted 42-13 to let him remain chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. His only sanction was being removed from the Environment Committee.

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