Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Southwest Airlines coming to Twin Cities airport in '09
  Southwest Airlines Co. plans to begin service next March to the Twin Cities airport, its first new market in more than a year. The service will initially be limited to flights to and from Chicago.6:50 a.m.
• RNC inquiry to focus on police encounters with public
  St. Paul's formal review of security actions during the Republican National Convention will focus on interactions between police officers and the community.6:55 a.m.
• Minnesota senators help pass bailout bill
  Minnesota's two U.S. senators voted last night in favor of the $700 billion financial rescue package. A number of changes were made which could convince Minnesota's House members, who voted against the bill the first time, to vote for it when it's reintroduced on Friday.7:20 a.m.
• 6th District candidates disagree on bailout, Iraq
  The three candidates for congress in Minnesota's 6th District met for their first debate last night in Stillwater. The proposed federal bailout of the financial industry dominated the event.7:25 a.m.
• Congressmen unswayed by changes to bailout bill
  The U.S. House is expected to take up the $700 billion financial rescue plan Friday. Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer spoke with 7th District Rep. Collin Peterson and 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, both of whom voted against the bill earlier this week.7:40 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Chinese sensors capture Skype text conversations.8:20 a.m.
• Theater productions use big stars to draw audience
  The new production of Peter Shaffer's "Equus" has received a good deal of attention on Broadway. It might have just been another revival, but the marquee boasts the name of Daniel Radcliffe, star of the "Harry Potter" movies. Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola weighs in on celebrity casting.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Think You're Multitasking? Think Again
  Don't believe the multitasking hype, scientists say. New research shows that we humans aren't as good as we think we are at doing several things at once — but it also found a skill that gives us an evolutionary edge. Researchers say humans are merely very good at switching their attention from task to task.
• FDIC Considers Insuring Larger Bank Accounts
  The FDIC, which insures deposits to prevent runs on banks, doesn't get much attention outside of times like these. But amid heightened distrust of banks, Congress and the FDIC are considering increasing the size of the accounts the agency can insure by more than double.
• White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan
  The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has called for an immediate influx of 15,000 troops to help stabilize the region, but analysts say that isn't all that is needed. The White House also has been seeking advice from Afghanistan experts outside the administration.
• House Gets Another Turn At Passing Bailout Bill
  The Senate passed the Wall Street rescue plan Wednesday by a significant margin. Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain were among the 74 senators who approved the bailout. The legislation moves to the House, where party leaders are more confident it will pass this time due to tax breaks added to the $700 billion plan.
• Businesses Operate In Tightened Credit Market
  In recent days, businesses, large and small, have been scrambling to convince lawmakers that the troubles on Wall Street are hitting Main Street. Companies need more cash but it is getting harder to borrow. Family businesses and CEO's of the nation's largest companies say the credit crisis is spreading.
• Unemployed Women Wait For Phone To Ring
  With the economy heading down, unemployment is heading up. Three unemployed women from Nashville, Tenn., talk with Renee Montagne about the challenges finding a new job. The group includes a former bank employee looking for a job for almost a year, an assembly line worker at a car parts plant that moved to Mexico and a former manager of a bank in Japan who has had trouble finding a job since returning to America.
• Letters: Sounding Off On The Financial Crisis
  Listeners wrote in on the financial crisis, including a Michigan man who says leaders of financial firms and the government should be jailed for economic terrorism. Also, many listeners thought Iran's president was interrupted too many times during last week's interview.
• New Genetic Test Detects Flu Faster
  The government this week approved a new genetic test for the flu virus. It will allow labs across the country to identify flu strains within four hours instead of four days. Renee Montagne reports.
• Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Brings GE To Life
  Warren Buffett's company is investing three billion dollars in General Electric. The stock has fallen 42 percent in the past year. Buffett says he is confident that GE will continue to be successful. Berkshire Hathaway last week invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs after the investment bank's shares dropped.
• Auto Sales Plunge As Credit Crisis Worsens
  Consumers worries over the U.S. economy have taken a big toll on auto sales. Ford, Chrysler and Toyota all reported sales off by more than 30 percent last month. General Motors posted a 16 percent decline. Dustin Dwyer reports for Michigan Radio.

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