Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Meet the Minneapolis Movie Bears
  More than 80 bears turned up at a Twin Cities movie theater the other night. These bears were not true ursines, but members of a human social group, the Minneapolis Movie Bears.6:55 a.m.
• State officials predict 'historic' budget deficit
  Minnesota finance officials announce Thursday the size of the deficit they see looming on the state budget horizon. Recent predictions say the shortfall could surpass $4 billion, and lawmakers will need to consider deep spending cuts and tax increases.7:20 a.m.
• Campaigns continue to raise money to fund recount efforts
  Long after the election, the two campaigns continue to aggressively raise money, not to pay for TV commercials and lawn signs, but instead to bankroll their recount operations.7:25 a.m.
• Dance is enjoying a renaissance
  From the new Broadway musical "Billy Elliott," to the variety of "Nutcrackers" flitting across local stages, dance seems to be enjoying a renaissance -- or at least increased attention -- these days. But there are challenges for the art form as well, both locally and nationally.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Two New Bibles Preach A Hip, Eco-Friendly Gospel
  The Bible has gotten a makeover: Two new editions target a young — even secular — audience. One is a slick, illustrated version of the New Testament; the other is an environmentally friendly edition that takes advantage of the popularity of the green movement.
• Spanish Soccer Teams Short Of Financial Goooals
  Spain's decade-long real estate boom was a gold mine for Spanish soccer. Construction firms paid large sums to have their logos on team jerseys, and real estate moguls lined up to buy teams. Now, with investments failing, struggling teams and owners are looking for buyers — or maybe a bailout.
• Economy, Drug Wars Hurt Cross-Border Business
  El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico are economically tightly intertwined. The economic downturn in the U.S. is hurting the hundreds of assembly plants just across the border as a raging drug war that's killed some 1,400 people in Juarez this year is squashing tourism.
• Central Banks Slash Interest Rates
  Confronted by deteriorating economies, central bankers overseas slashed interest rates Thursday. The European Central Bank made its biggest rate cut ever — cutting rates by three-quarters of a percentage point. The Bank of England and Sweden's central bank also sliced rates.
• Israeli Settlers, Security Forces Clash In Hebron
  Clashes erupted Wednesday between settlers and Israeli security forces in the West Bank city of Hebron, which has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some 650 Jewish settlers live in fortified enclaves guarded by Israeli soldiers. They're surrounded by thousands of Palestinians who also call Hebron home. Militant settlers continue to refuse an Israeli government order to vacate a disputed building.
• Letters: Detroit's Big 3 On Listeners' Minds
  Detroit's Big Three automakers wanting a bailout was on the minds of many listeners. Some said U.S. carmakers had made unreliable vehicles for too long, while others thought Detroit should have addressed energy efficiency before now. Listeners also e-mailed about the Bush administration turning over a lot of government work to private contractors, the attacks in Mumbai and an appreciation for singer Odetta, who died Tuesday at the age of 77.
• Chrysler No Stranger To Bailouts
  The heads of the big three U.S. car companies are back on Capitol Hill on Thursday, trying to convince Congress to give them billions in loans so they can avoid bankrupty. For some at Chrysler, there might be a sense of deja vu. Paul Eisenstein, who covers the car industry for the independent news service The Detroit Bureau, talks to Renee Montagne about the first time Chrysler was bailed out in the '80s.
• Big, Small Home Builders Feel Housing Pinch
  Smaller home builders — like Florida's Chuck Fowke — are going out of business, while large companies are cutting back. The industry wants any federal stimulus package to include new incentives for homebuyers. But analysts say the industry won't begin to rebound without a decrease in home builders and inventory.
• Treasury Weighs Plan To Cut U.S. Mortgage Rates
  The Treasury is considering a plan to lower mortgage rates for homebuyers to as low as 4.5 percent — more than a full point below currently offered rates, sources say. But analysts say the plan would be even more effective at boosting the economy if it also lowered rates for refinancings.
• Intelligence Positions May Be Difficult To Fill
  When President-elect Barack Obama introduced his national security team this week, he left two key positions unfilled: CIA director and director of National Intelligence. That may be because it's hard to find people to fill the jobs who are not associated with the controversial intelligence policies of the Bush administration.
• New Luxury Hybrid Electric Mountain Bike
  There's a new luxury model called the Optibike OB1. It still requires pedal power, but it has a battery that powers the motor for up to two hours. It has a GPS system — and costs $13,000.
• Bratz Dolls To Disappear From Toy Shelves
  Just in time for the holidays, a federal judge has granted giant toymaker Mattel one of its big wishes. The judge ordered a rival company to stop selling Bratz dolls, which have undercut sales of Mattel's own Barbie. Wednesday's ruling follows a jury's finding that Bratz doll designer Carter Bryant came up with the pouty-lipped dolls while working for Mattel. The judge said the Bratz dolls may remain on store shelves until after the holidays.
• With Google Phone, Track Flu In Your Zip Code
  Owners of a T-Mobile G1, also known as the "Google phone," can now download a program that tracks flu outbreaks by zip code. The makers of the flu remedy Zicam created the program and got their information from polling health care providers and pharmacies. A version for the iPhone is expected to be availible later this month.
• CBS Airs Special To Announce Grammy Nominations
  CBS broadcast a special one-hour program Wednesday night to announce the 2008 Grammy nominations. The new format was an attempt to attract more viewers. Last year's Grammy Awards show was the least watched ever, as awards-show audiences continue to shrink.
• So Far, Obama Has Approval Ratings On His Side
  President-elect Barack Obama has filled about half of the openings in his Cabinet. A new Gallup Poll shows nearly 4 out of 5 Americans approve of his transition moves so far. But, could there be a price to be paid for this early popularity?

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