Census data shows minority increase in small communities The U.S. Census Bureau has just released new data on mid-size Minnesota counties. For the first time, the American Community Survey includes information on places as small as 20,000 in population.
It's considered the first statistical portrait since the 2000 Census on a wide range of topics, such as demographics, education, income and housing.6:50 a.m.
Commentator finds holiday cheer hard to embrace The holiday season is here, and for some Minnesotans, the magic of the season is just beginning. But for others, like commentator Peter Smith, the joy of the season always seems just a bit harder to appreciate.6:55 a.m.
3M layoffs include 400 jobs in Twin Cities Maplewood-based 3M says layoffs announced recently will include about 400 Twin Cities jobs as the weakening global economy cuts into profits.7:25 a.m.
A sportswriter's take on the Timberwolves' coaching change When the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Utah Jazz tonight at the Target Center, Kevin McHale will be coaching the team. McHale begins his second stint as coach of the Wolves after yesterday's firing of Randy Whitman.8:35 a.m.
National Public Radio Stories
Dogs Understand Fairness, Get Jealous, Study Finds
A new study suggests that dogs can feel jealous and become resentful if they think another dog is getting a better deal. If canines spot unfair treatment, they're likely to become less cooperative, researchers found.
Eighteen-Wheelers And A Health Insurance Crunch
In Flora, Ill., Huck's convenient store is where lives intersect. Sandy Higgs works the counter there, and she also has a job maintaining big rigs to make ends meet. Neither she nor one of the company's truckers get health insurance from the job — and each faces a looming crisis.
'Wall Street Journal' Editor Sizes Up The Competition
A year after being taken over by Rupert Murdoch, The Wall Street Journal is expanding its coverage — despite the sputtering economy. Robert Thomson, the Journal's managing editor, says his paper "is able to report the world in a way that's far superior to the competition."
Pakistan Strengthens Response To Mumbai Attacks
Pakistani troops have raided a militant camp and arrested a suspected mastermind in the deadly attacks last month in Mumbai, India. Is India satisfied with Pakistan's military operations against militants?
Carter: African Leaders Must Pressure Mugabe
Former President Jimmy Carter says reports of humanitarian conditions from inside Zimbabwe are "horrifying and even much worse than we had feared." He says conditions might only improve if neighboring African nations pressure Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to step down.
Shift In Chinese Labor Force Marks Poor Economy
The tide of migrant Chinese workers is starting to show a permanent shift toward inland, non-factory jobs as the flagging economy continues to force manufacturing shutdowns. An influx of new, skilled labor combined with dwindling numbers of jobs is forcing laborers to return home.
Fashion Wholesaler Says Customers Disappeared
In normal times, Eric Hansen supplies clothing to major retailers. But these days, orders at Moda America, where he serves as senior vice president, have dropped precipitously. Now Hansen is selling directly to consumers at sample sales and trying to hang on.
Marching Bands Compete For Inauguration Gig
Washington, D.C., has some of the best marching bands in the nation: Ballou Senior High School and Eastern Senior High School are two, and then there's Howard University's famous "Showtime" Marching Band. They all want to represent the nation's capital for President-elect Barack Obama.
Rendition Victim's Suit Targets U.S. Officials
A federal appeals court in New York hears arguments Tuesday over a lawsuit filed by Maher Arar, a Canadian detained at JFK airport in 2002 and deported to Syria, where he was tortured. Arar says his goal is to hold U.S. officials responsible for violating his human rights.
There ARE Atheists In Foxholes
One year ago, commentator Benjamin Tupper's National Guard unit was embedded with Afghan troops. Tupper, an atheist, recently learned that one of the young interpreters he worked with was captured, tortured and murdered by the Taliban. Tupper hopes the interpreter's vision of an afterlife is real.