Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Northwest, Delta begin integration
  The end of Northwest Airlines has begun. Late yesterday afternoon, Delta Air Lines closed on its purchase of Eagan-based Northwest.6:20 a.m.
• Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of U.S. economy
  Today, the federal government will release its first reading on the growth of the U.S. economy between July and September. Economists are predicting the economy shrank half a percent.6:55 a.m.
• MPR Poll: Obama widens lead in the state
  With less than a week to go until Election Day, a new poll shows Democrat Barack Obama with a commanding lead over Republican John McCain in Minnesota.7:20 a.m.
• Facts don't support Bachmann ad claims
  Rep. Michele Bachmann uses a TV commercial and a new web site to accuse Democrat El Tinklenberg of breaking the law. But there's no indication Tinklenberg broke any laws.7:25 a.m.
• Newspaper editors explain their U.S. Senate endorsements
  Newspaper editors at three papers in Minnesota discuss the reasons behind their endorsements.7:40 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Breakthrough technology for 20088:20 a.m.
• Papatola on Halloween hauntings around the state
  People observe All Hallow's Eve in a variety of ways. Some go out trick-or-treating. Some carve jack-o-lanterns. And some like to have their pants scared off. Morning Edition arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola does not fall into that last group, but he summoned up the courage to speak with Minnesota Public Radio's Cathy Wurzer about various Halloween hauntings in the metro area and around the state.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Nigella Lawson: Dishes For Fall, Quick And Tasty
  The leaves are falling — and food writer Nigella Lawson is ready to share some of her favorite autumn recipes. With ingredients like butternut squash, pears and chestnut puree, many of the flavors are tart but mellow, with an earthy sweetness.
• 'Internal Chatter' Limits Multitasking As People Age
  Research shows that the human brain reaches its multitasking peak in our 20s or 30s. As we age beyond that, an increase in "internal chatter" makes the brain work harder to suppress distractions and maintain focus.
• Money Woes Muzzle Independent Political Groups
  In a presidential race that seems to include every possible political strategy, one element has barely been visible. There have been no high-impact independent groups like the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the outfit that nearly derailed John Kerry's campaign four years ago.
• Government Plan Would Guarantee Some Mortgages
  The federal government appears to be on the verge of announcing a massive plan to help homeowners struggling to avoid foreclosure. The plan could involve hundreds of billions of dollars in government loan guarantees.
• Mortgage Modifications Won't Benefit Everyone
  With millions facing foreclosure, there's more pressure on mortgage lenders to cut deals with troubled borrowers. One of the toughest challenges is designing a system that helps the greatest number of homeowners without creating what's known as a moral hazard. That means creating a system that doesn't encourage people to stop paying their mortgage, in hopes of cutting a better deal.
• How Vietnam Shaped John McCain's Worldviews
  The presidential candidates' experiences abroad have shaped their worldviews, and those views offer clues about how they would govern. Both Barack Obama and John McCain have expressed those views in memoirs. Newsweek editor Jon Meacham talks with Steve Inskeep in the second of two conversations about the candidates' worldviews, finishing with McCain's experiences as a POW during the Vietnam war.
• Gen. Petraeus Supports Talks With Taliban
  Gen. David Petraeus, who once led U.S. troops in Iraq, becomes head of the U.S. Central Command Friday. That position includes responsibility for the war in Afghanistan. Petraeus already has endorsed reaching out to less-extreme Taliban elements. He also is expected to send more troops and air power to support the war in Afghanistan.
• The Beatles Sign 'Rock Band' Video Game Deal
  MTV Networks announced Thursday a deal to use songs by The Beatles in its popular "Rock Band" video game series. This would be the group's first digital licensing deal. It would also be a huge coup for Viacom, which owns "Rock Band." The company's been vying with rival video game, "Guitar Hero," for the valuable repertoire.
• Cable Subscribers Increase Before Digital Transition
  Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable service provider, announced Wednesday that earnings were up. The company says it lost some basic cable subscribers, but that the decline was offset by new digital subscribers. One non-profit group is urging Congress to investigate whether Comcast and other cable companies are trying to profit from the upcoming transition from analog broadcast TV to digital.
• Currency Swings Tricky For U.S. Exporters
  The dollar has risen in recent months, especially against the euro. Currency traders say it has to do with something called the carry trade, which is also pushing up the yen. These wild fluctuations in currency values make life a lot more complicated for U.S. exporters.

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