Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• The end of an era at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange
  After more than a century of shouts and gestures, the trading floor at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange goes silent Friday afternoon. Friday is the last day of open outcry futures trading on the floor of the exchange.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Meteorologist and Climatologist Mark Seeley looks back at what happened with the weather in November and what we can expect this weekend.6:55 a.m.
• Coleman with 2-vote lead after 3rd day of canvass
  Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the board charged with reviewing disputed ballots in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race will finish that part of the process today.7:20 a.m.
• Analyzing canvassing board decision on challenged ballots
  The State Canvassing board has had to make some tough decisions on determining voter intent on ballots challenged in the Minnesota senate recount. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Supreme Court also said wrongly rejected absentee ballots should be included in the recount after both campaigns and local officials agree on which ones have been improperly rejected.7:25 a.m.
• Mesothelioma task force updates public on progress
  The task force studying the high rate of a rare form of cancer among taconite workers offered an update to the public last night on the Iron Range.7:40 a.m.
• Library usage increases with the recession
  There's one place where business is booming right now despite the recession. It's your local public library.7:45 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Worst tech predictions for 20088:20 a.m.
• Vikings can clinch division title with win against Atlanta
  The Minnesota Vikings take on the Atlanta Falcons at the Metrodome on Sunday. If the Vikings win, they will clinch their division and secure a spot in the playoffs for the first time since the 2004 season.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• In A Hospital, There's No Monopoly On Prayer
  A former hospital chaplain says that before she retired, she often met with the staff. "One of the things we do is go around and bless the hands of all the people who work in the hospital," Janet Lutz says. One day, she found out there was much more prayer going on.
• Dinosaur Dads Cared For Young, Researchers Say
  New research suggests the trend of paternal care in bird species may have been passed down by their ancient relatives: dinosaurs. In analyzing fossilized dinosaur nests and bones, researchers found evidence that males may have been the caregivers.
• Do Automakers Have To Make Concessions?
  President Bush says the U.S. will provide $17.4 billion dollars in short-term loans to automakers. The loans go to GM and Chrysler — not Ford, which says it can do without for now. The automakers will have to make some concessions. The president described these as short-term loans — which could be called back in a few months if the automakers fail to change.
• Detroit Could Get $17 Billion In Short-Term Loans
  President Bush has announced the terms of the rescue package for automakers. GM and Chrysler have said they might not be able to pay their bills without federal help. Ford says it's OK for the moment. Most of the $17.4 billion comes right away and will get them through the holidays. The rest of the money will come next month, provided that Congress approves it.
• Bush: Carmakers Will Get $17.4 Billion In Loans
  President Bush announced a rescue package for U.S. automakers Friday morning at the White House. The president said allowing the automakers to collapse would not be responsible.The ailing automakers will get $17.4 billion in loans. Bush said $13.4 billion will come from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, and another $4 billion will come later.
• Magazine Predicts 'The World In 2009'
  The Economist is publishing its annual predictions for the coming year. Daniel Franklin, the magazine's executive editor, talks with Steve Inskeep about the "The World in 2009" edition.
• Senate Race Results Still Close In Minnesota
  A winner is supposed to have been declared already in the last U.S. Senate race to be decided. The too-close-to-call contest in Minnesota is between GOP incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken. Instead, it looks like the new year will begin with the contest unresolved.
• Subtle Wording Keeps Banks From Going Under
  One of the crucial moments in the economic crisis came last month, when Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced that the government would help banks by purchasing billions of dollars of their stock. Paulson had previously opposed the idea, but some people credit it with preventing financial collapse. Paulson only had authority to buy that stock because of some subtle wording that made it into the bailout bill.
• FDA Approves Sweeteners From Stevia Plant
  The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of two new zero-calorie sweeteners made from the stevia plant. Coca-Cola and other companies plan to introduce drinks sweetened with stevia-based products.
• 'Glory,' 'Wild Bunch' Among David Simon's DVD Picks
  Steve Inskeep talks with David Simon of HBO's The Wire and Generation Kill about his favorite DVDs. Simon's choices include Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory and Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch.
• Obama Said To Pick Hilda Solis For Labor Secretary
  President-elect Barack Obama is expected to nominate Hilda Solis as labor secretary. The Democratic congresswoman was just elected to her fifth term representing heavily Hispanic portions of eastern Los Angeles County and east L.A. She is the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants.
• Redskins Hall Of Famer Sammy Baugh Dies At 94
  One of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of professional football has died. Sammy Baugh, who played for the Washington Redskins, was 94. Nicknamed Slingin' Sammy, he transformed the quarterback position with his accuracy and long passing.
• Letters: Ill. Politicians, Singing Saw Draw Ire
  Listeners were divided over a lighthearted segment injecting humor into the scandals that Illinois politicians have been involved in. A Chicago listener found the segment offensive, while another was happy that she was finally able to lighten up a bit. There were other e-mails about "The Singing Saw at Christmastime" and a family's holiday reading tradition.
• Burger King Launches 'Flame' Men's Body Spray
  The home of the Whopper describes the spray as "the scent of seduction, with a hint of flame-broiled meat." A Web site for the new spray features the chain's King character reclining by a fireplace, naked but for a strategically placed animal fur. The fragrance is on sale at Ricky's NYC stores and online for a limited time for $3.99.
• Polaroid Files For Bankruptcy Protection
  The icon of instant photography is trying to adjust to a world dominated by digital photography. Polaroid Corp. and its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday. In a statement, the company said its ongoing financial restructuring plan is the result of allegations of fraud at its parent company, Petters Group Worldwide. Polaroid says the filing will not affect day-to-day operations.

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