Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Crime alerts at U of M may create misplaced perception
  Students at the U of M have received more e-mail crime alerts from school officials this fall than last year. While crime rates aren't up significantly, the alerts can create that perception.6:40 a.m.
• Several agencies will investigate cause of explosion
  The Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety is the lead investigator on the pipeline fire and explosion that took place near Clearbrook in northern Minnesota. It could take up to six months to complete.6:50 a.m.
• Budget shortfall at $373 million
  State Finance officials say a struggling economy is forcing Minnesota's budget into a deficit again. Forecasters say the state will see a $373 million deficit by mid-2009. Gov. Pawlenty and state lawmakers are now faced with raising taxes, cutting spending or spending a part of the budget reserve to balance the state's budget.7:20 a.m.
• St. Olaf Christmas Festival goes national
  The St. Olaf Choir is ramping up their Christmas Festival tradition to high definition this year. For the first time the choir will be transmitting the sights and sounds of the show to movie theaters across the country.7:55 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Eco-Friendly Product Claims Often Misleading
  Store shelves are filled with products claiming to be good for the environment. Everything from shampoos and cleaning agents to granola bars claim to be "natural" and "earth friendly." But some environmentalists think you're being "greenwashed."
• U.S. Watches Nervously as Oil-Rich Nations Invest
  As oil-exporting countries amass huge surpluses of cash, some of them — like Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Russia — are putting their oil profits into U.S. investments. Some on Wall Street are worried about the sudden prominence of investment funds owned and controlled by foreign governments.
• Living with Alzheimer's: 'I'm Still Me'
  When Charles Jackson was 13, he learned that his mother's side of the family has a particular gene that can cause early-onset Alzheimer's. Now Jackson is coming to terms with how the disease will affect him — and his family.
• GOP Hopefuls' Words on War: Immaterial?
  Most of the GOP presidential contenders support keeping U.S. troops in Iraq. They call it a frontline in the war on terrorism, and say U.S. troops should leave with victory and success. But the catchphrases fail to convey anything relevant about the war.
• Iraq Commander Shares Sentiments on Troops
  Col. David Sutherland, due to leave Iraq after a 14-month tour of duty, speaks in highly emotional terms about the soldiers he has led, and those who died. Sutherland was commander of the 3rd Brigade combat team in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad.
• Richardson Focuses on Iowa's Rural Voters
  Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson is pinning his hopes on a strong showing in Iowa by visiting each of its 99 counties and homing in on the state's many rural voters. He talks up hunting and alternative energy while promising to have troops out of Iraq within a year.
• Giuliani Denies Inappropriate Accounting
  Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani refutes a news story that while mayor of New York City he used unorthodox accounting practices to hide an extramarital affair. Expenses were billed to obscure city agencies, like the department that regulates loft spaces.
• U.S. Meets Russia in Davis Cup Finals
  Some of the best men's tennis players in the world gather in Portland, Ore., for the start of the Davis Cup Finals. The three-day team event matches the U.S. against defending champion, Russia. The U.S. has won 31 Davis Cups — more than any other country — but none in a dozen years.
• Ahmadinejad: Mideast Peace Talks a Failure
  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pronounces the Mideast Peace conference in Annapolis, Md., a failure, predicting that Israel is doomed to collapse. Iran was not invited to the multi-nation conference.
• World AIDS Day to Honor Life, Restate Figures
  World AIDS Day will celebrate the millions of people living with the disease, rather than the pessimism of years gone by. The United Nations reports the number of those infected with HIV worldwide is 33 million, not the 39 million previously reported.

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