Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Albert Lea embarks on a healthy makeover
  The town will be the subject of a longevity project put together by the AARP and Blue Zones, a healthy living organization.6:20 a.m.
• Loan program repopulating areas hit by foreclosures, but slowly
  As the tide of foreclosures in Minneapolis recedes, it has left several hundred unoccupied homes in its wake. Now, through a program called the Minneapolis Advantage, parts of the city hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis are slowly getting repopulated.6:25 a.m.
• Winter exhibition offers a 'Holiday in the Sun'
  The irony in Andrea Stanislav's artwork is evident even in the title of her latest show. It's called "Holiday in the Sun," and it's opening on the coldest week in Minnesota in over five years.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 December and what we can expect this weekend.6:55 a.m.
• Star Tribune files for Chapter 11
  Minnesota's largest daily newspaper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last night.7:20 a.m.
• Three-judge panel to decide on timeline for Senate court case
  Lawyers for Republican Norm Coleman say the two parties will have their first meeting today with the three judge panel that will decide the Senate election contest. Both campaigns have submitted timelines for how they want the election challenge to move along in court, and now it's up to the panel to make a decision. That ruling will be the first of many in shaping a legal proceeding that is expected to look like a civil trial but will have key differences as well, such as the three-judge panel.7:25 a.m.
• Birds a constant problem at Twin Cities airport
  Officials say the U.S. Airways plane that crashed into the Hudson River in New York yesterday apparently hit a flock of birds. Birds also are a major issue at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.7:35 a.m.
• MnSCU reacts to Pawlenty's tuition cap proposal
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty specifically focused on tuition at insitutions of higher education in part of his State of the State speech yesterday, proposing a firm cap on tuition increases. University officials are concerned about that idea.8:35 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Keynes' Economic Theories Back In Vogue
  Economist John Maynard Keynes is enjoying a resurgence of popularity, as his theories are at the heart of the incoming administration's thinking on how to respond to the U.S. economic crisis. Keynes was a man of many contradictions. He was part of England's elite social class, but he was also a shocking figure.
• Obama's Other College Hopes For Presidential Boost
  It's well known that Barack Obama attended Harvard Law School and Columbia University. But before that, he spent two years at Occidental College in Los Angeles. The small college is hoping an "Obama bump" will help propel it over the rough financial waters facing many private schools.
• Like Obama, Companies Sell Own Brand Of Change
  During his election campaign, Barack Obama branded a message of change with the word "hope" and the slogan "Yes We Can." Now companies such as Ben & Jerry's, PepsiCo and IKEA appear to be riding the Obama wave by using themes of change and optimism to sell products.
• 155 People Walk Away From Jet's Water Landing
  The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into what caused the two engines on a US Airways jetliner to fail shortly after takeoff Thursday from New York's LaGuardia Airport. The plane ditched in the Hudson River near midtown Manhattan. All 155 people aboard were quickly pulled to safety aboard rescue craft and private boats.
• Hearings Continue For Obama's AG Pick
  Attorney General-designate Eric Holder says "waterboarding is torture." He spoke about it at his confirmation hearing Thursday. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hear from other witnesses Friday.
• Does U.S. Need A Culture Czar?
  The idea of a Cabinet-level official for the arts has gotten some buzz lately. After all, many other countries have ministers of culture. High-profile artists such as Quincy Jones think it's necessary in the U.S., but not everyone agrees.
• Fashion Writer: Michelle Obama More Than A Dress
  On Inauguration Day, all eyes will be on Barack Obama. When the sun goes down, that gaze will shift to his wife, Michelle. But Simon Doonan, a fashion writer and the creative director of Barneys, says Michelle Obama should be known for something more than what she wears.
• Eagles Soar Into NFC Championship Game
  The Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals will meet in this Sunday's NFC championship game. It has been an up-and-down year for the Eagles, who are one game away from the Super Bowl. Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb have been the focus of fan ire.
• Obama Faces Calls To Tighten Interrogation Rules
  During his campaign, Barack Obama spoke out against the use of anything like torture in the interrogation of suspected terrorists and said he would order interrogations to be carried out in accordance with the U.S. Army Field Manual. It's up to the new president to decide which methods will be off-limits. So far, he's getting conflicting advice.
• Sorting Out A Clear Strategy For Afghanistan
  When Barack Obama takes office next week, he'll inherit an increasingly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. A troop increase has already begun, but some question the signals that strategy sends. In addition, analysts urge Obama to take a regional approach.

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