Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• First leg of Petters trial gets underway
  The trial of businessman Tom Petters, who stands accused of running a Ponzi scheme that cheated investors out of some $3.5 billion, gets underway today with the selection of jurors.6:50 a.m.
• Lack of fever in some H1N1 cases complicates prevention effort
  It appears a lot of people with the H1N1 flu do not experience a fever, and the absence of a fever could mean they are not taking enough precautions to prevent transmitting the virus to others.7:20 a.m.
• St. Paul prepares to decide on instant runoff voting
  On the same day Minneapolis residents cast their first Instant Runoff Voting ballots, St. Paul will decide on a referendum on whether or not to use the controversial voting system for its municipal elections.7:45 a.m.
• Play's cancellation risks entire traveling tour
  The strange case of a star-studded production of the play "A Christmas Carol" took another twist this week, when its upcoming run at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis was cancelled. That is threatening the viability of the entire tour.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Obama Embraces House Financial Overhaul Bill
  President Obama is supporting a House bill that would give the government unprecedented power to seize large financial firms on the verge of collapse. Competitors of the troubled firm would foot the costs instead of taxpayers.
• Regulators Debate Pros, Cons Of 'Too Big To Fail'
  Some high-level policymakers say large financial firms pose too much danger to the financial system and to taxpayers. Others argue that they provide benefits that need to be preserved.
• Ahead Of Afghan Runoff, Taliban Strikes
  A Taliban attack on an international guesthouse in the heart of Kabul killed at least 12 people — including U.N. staff members. A spokesman for the Taliban said it was the first of many attacks they plan to carry out to disrupt next month's runoff election.
• Battle Against IEDs Spreads From Iraq To Afghanistan
  Homemade bombs are the biggest killer of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq, one idea that has worked to protect troops from the bombs is called Task Force ODIN. Now, that strategy, which relies on aerial surveillance video, is heading to Afghanistan.
• Clean Energy Touted As Good For Planet And Jobs
  Officials from the Obama administration are out in force this week making the case for clean energy as a way to create jobs and help the planet. The push comes as the Senate begins to consider an energy bill that would crack down on carbon pollution from traditional fossil fuels. It also comes just weeks before a global climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Jackson's New Career: Permanent, Posthumous Brand
  The Michael Jackson concert film This Is It — cut together from rehearsals filmed in the months before the pop star's death — is just the latest venture to highlight how valuable the coin of celebrity can remain even after a star's life is over. Nate DiMeo looks at the big business of posthumous brand management.
• Letters Offer An Intimate Portrait Of Poet Lord Byron
  Between trysts with various women and men, the British poet Lord Byron maintained a lifelong, spirited correspondence with a clergyman named Francis Hodgson. Now, a collection of their revealing letters is up for auction at Sotheby's.
• GMAC Could Get Third Government Bailout
  GMAC Financial Services already received $12.5 billion in two earlier bailouts from the government. The firm and the Treasury Department are said to be in advanced talks to shore up the lender with a third government bailout. The company faces a crucial deadline in November for shoring up its finances.
• Google Announcing New Music Search
  The new service will be featured within a standard Google search: Plug in the band or musician's name, and bios, videos and images will pop up. The search results will point you to online music retailers Google has partnered with.
• Senate To Work On Extending Jobless Benefits
  After weeks of political infighting, the Senate voted Tuesday to take up a bill to extend unemployment benefits. House lawmakers passed similar legislation last month. Since then, 400,000 people had their benefits end. The Senate is scrambling to pass the provision this week before thousands more run out of benefits.

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