Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minneapolis schools aim high with new plan
  The Minneapolis school board receives praise for a short but meaningful list of reforms.7:20 a.m.
• Worthington still smarting one year after Swift raid
  There is still intense debate over the value of a national immigration raid one year ago against the Swift meatpacking company. More than 200 illegal immigrants were rounded up in southwest Minnesota.7:24 a.m.
• The sound of Wendy
  When the Ordway Center in St. Paul, Minn., announced recently that Wendy Knox would be directing the holiday production of "The Sound of Music," it raised a lot of eyebrows - including her own.7:50 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Commitments Differ for College Players, Coaches
  As the college football season winds up, many coaches are on the move. But there's a double standard — one for athletes, who are locked into a particular college, and one for coaches, who bolt their contracts with great speed when a better offer surfaces.
• Lebanon Car Bombing Kills General, Others
  A car bomb attack kills Brig. Gen. Francois Hajj, and at least two others. The target of the attack, Hajj, a top Maronite Catholic in the command, was considered a leading candidate to succeed the head of the military, Gen. Michel Suleiman, if Suleiman is elected president.
• China, a Display of Stunning Economic Activity
  China shows many signs of economic growth despite concerns about tainted goods such as toys, food, toothpaste, etc. Development and economic growth is widespread. Still, the Chinese worry that the U.S. — either out of fear or anxiety — doesn't wish China well.
• Sanctuary Cities Contentious for GOP
  One dispute among Republicans in the debate about illegal immigration is whether candidates support so-called sanctuary policies that put limits on checking immigrants' legal status. There is growing support for cities to do more on immigration.
• Fallon CEO Substitutes Day Off for Holiday Party
  Employees at Massachusetts-based Fallon Community Health Plan didn't get any invitations to a holiday dinner dance this year. Over the past five years, less than than half of the workers have shown up to the annual bash. So this year, the CEO canceled it, giving workers the day off instead.
• Navigating the Office Holiday Party
  Whether it's a year of big losses or big profits, most companies still manage to hold a holiday party for employees. A Silicon Valley businessman offers some advice on avoiding the pitfalls of the season.
• Citigroup Picks Pandit for CEO Post
  Citigroup names Vikram Pandit, the head of its investment banking business, as CEO. Pandit's selection comes after a five-week search. He ran a hedge fund bought by Citigroup earlier this year, and is viewed as careful and decisive. The bank also names acting CEO Sir Win Bischoff as its chairman.
• Fed Cuts Key Rates by Quarter Percentage Point
  The Federal Reserve lowers key interest rates a quarter of a percentage point. But investors say that's not enough. Apparently Wall Street had been hoping for a cut by half a percentage point, thinking that would better cushion the economy from the impact of the mortgage crisis. Stocks fell sharply.
• Panel to Recommend How to Cut Flight Congestion
  An advisory panel is due to present recommendations to the government on how to improve the on-time performance of the airlines. Airlines have suffered many delays and canceled flights, and this summer was the worst. There is much at stake for business and passengers.
• McCain Keeps Sights on South Carolina
  The large number of undecided voters in South Carolina has left the race for the GOP primary wide open. Sen. John McCain is at the back of the pack. Still, he keeps South Carolina in his sights even though it's the state that crippled his 2000 presidential election ambitions.
• Medicare Balks at Paying for Lymphoma Drugs
  Two new and innovative anti-cancer drugs work against a type of lymphoma where other drugs fail. But after Jan. 1, Medicare will cut what it pays for the expensive treatments. Medicare's decision could leave thousands of patients unable to get a therapy that others say saved their lives.
• U.S. Delegation in China for Economic Talks
  With Christmas and an election year closing in, Congress and business groups are in a pitched lobbying battle over the issue of product safety and U.S. trade with China. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other U.S. Cabinet secretaries are in Beijing for high-level economic talks with China.
• PETA Lists Best Food for Inmates
  The animal rights group PETA has put out top 10 lists on the most vegetarian friendly colleges and ballparks. Now, it's out with another list for (people who can't actually choose) prisons. Those sent to prison in Pennsylvania can dine on tofu cacciatore; Hawaii, vegetarian teriyaki burger.
• No Takers for Welles' Oscar for 'Citizen Kane'
  The Academy Award for Citizen Kane, the first movie made by Orson Welles, was expected to get a million dollars or more at auction. But nobody made the minimum bid. Somebody did want a cheaper prize. Welles' personal copy of the Citizen Kane script.
• Falcon's Coach Petrino Leaves NFL for College Ball
  A difficult year for the Atlanta Falcons turned worse when Bobby Petrino resigned as head coach just after 13 games with the team. Then, hours later, Petrino resurfaced as head coach of college football's Arkansas Razorbacks.

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