Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Former U.S. Attorneys predict future of Dept. of Justice
  Two former U.S. Attorneys from Minneapolis outlined their predictions for the Justice Department and its priorities under the new administration.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend weather.6:55 a.m.
• NTSB stresses connection between bad design and weight
  NTSB investigators have found the weight of the bridge and construction materials and equipment placed on it forced a poorly-designed and under-sized gusset to fail.7:20 a.m.
• Secretary of State's office outlines rules for Senate recount
  The Minnesota Secretary of State's office is giving election officials across the state some direction on how to conduct next week's recount in the U.S. Senate race.7:25 a.m.
• Former MnDOT official reacts to NTSB findings
  Bob McFarlin, who was second in command at MnDOT when the 35W bridge collapsed, says the NTSB report does not find fault with the state's bridge inspection procedures. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.8:25 a.m.
• St. Paul native makes another trip to space
  NASA officials are optimistic the weather will cooperate for this evening's launch of the space shuttle Endeavour with a Minnesota astronaut aboard. Heidi Stefanyshyn-Piper is making her second shuttle trip.8:35 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• In York, Pa., New Outlook After Obama's Win
  In a diverse panel of voters, even those who voted for John McCain said they found cause for optimism in Barack Obama's victory. For some blacks in the group, the election's outcome also brought a longed-for sense of acceptance.
• Danny Boyle's Mumbai: 'A City In Fast-Forward'
  The director of the wildly acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire says the Mumbai he discovered during his movie shoot is a city on the move. And in India, he found, life is a study in contradiction and connection.
• Vietnamese Workers Fear U.S. Spending Slowdown
  As the economic crisis continues, the possibility that U.S. consumers will spend less next year than they did this year is causing worldwide concern. In Vietnam, which exports a large share of its products to the U.S., garment factory workers are already worried about their jobs.
• Who Murdered China's Emperor 100 Years Ago?
  One hundred years ago Friday, a crime was committed behind the imposing oxblood-red walls of Beijing's Forbidden City: An emperor was murdered. But there was no proof — until now. New tests show that Guangxu Emperor ingested a fatal dose of arsenic. And historians say his own aunt was the mastermind behind his murder.
• Bond's New Villain? He's A Gift In 'Christmas Tale'
  Mathieu Amalric plays two completely different characters in Quantum of Solace, the new Bond film, and A Christmas Tale. Critic Kenneth Turan says the latter's licensed to thrill.
• Shuttle Hauling Equipment To Expand Space Station
  A new toilet and fridge will soon be orbiting the Earth. Astronauts on board space shuttle Endeavour will take a load of new equipment up to the International Space Station, to get everything ready so that next year the station can double its crew from three to six. The space shuttle is scheduled to lift off Friday night.
• Obama To Resign Senate Seat Sunday
  President-elect Barack Obama has announced that he'll resign his Senate seat, effective Sunday. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, will appoint Obama's successor. Should the governor name an African American to replace the Senate's only African American member?
• Cheney Shows Biden Around VP Mansion
  Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife gave Joe Biden and his wife an hour-long tour of the vice president's mansion Thursday. Aides to Cheney call the meeting "a good visit."
• Nebraska Legislators Evaluate Safe-Haven Law
  State legislators in Nebraska are meeting in a special session to evaluate the state's safe-haven law. It was meant to protect infants. But more than half of the 33 children legally abandoned under the law since it took effect in mid-July have been teenagers. Todd Landry, director of Children and Family Services in the state, says the law has had unintended consequences.
• More Citigroup Workers Expected To Get Pink Slips
  Citigroup has already laid off more than 20,000 people in the past year. The Wall Street Journal reports Friday that pink slips are set to go out to another 10,000 employees. Citigroup is struggling to dig itself out of a financial hole. The lender also plans to raise interest rates for some of its credit card customers, by up to 3 percent.

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