Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Peavey Plaza named marvel of modernism
  Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis has been named one of the 2008 "Marvels of Modernism" by the Cultural Landscape Foundation. The plaza, which sits below street level next to Orchestra Hall, is one of 12 public spaces from around the country that have received this designation.6:20 a.m.
• New book fictionalizes Hudson murders
  A new mystery novel, "The Funeral Home Murders," is loosely based on a double murder in Hudson, Wisconsin.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota Meteorologist and Climatologist Mark Seeley looks back at what happened with the weather in November and what we can expect this weekend.6:55 a.m.
• Pawlenty: This is not going to be easy
  Governor Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders are scheduled to have breakfast this morning to talk about the state budget. Finance officials announced yesterday that Minnesota is facing a projected $5.2 billion budget shortfall over the next 2 1/2 years.7:20 a.m.
• Some fear state might seek money meant for environment
  Of all the people keeping a worried eye on the projected state budget shortfall, environmental advocates are probably a little less worried than most. That's because of the historic vote in November for a new sales tax to boost investments in Minnesota's natural resources.7:25 a.m.
• Searchers suspect 133 ballots are in a Minneapolis warehouse
  The search resumes this morning in Minneapolis for an envelope believed to contain 133 ballots that were misplaced during the U.S. Senate recount. The ballots were cast at the University Lutheran Church of Hope in Dinkytown.7:35 a.m.
• Education could take a big hit during budget deficit
  As state lawmakers start looking at ways to plug the $5.2 billion dollar deficit announced Thursday, it's going to be tough to not consider cuts to education. About 40 percent of the state budget goes to K-12 schools and nearly 9 percent funds higher education.7:40 a.m.
• Budget woes dampen Henn. Co. schools effort
  The county recently came up with a way to address school drop outs, but that new effort faces the same budget cuts as the rest.7:45 a.m.
• Future Tense with Jon Gordon
  Apple changes its mind on security8:20 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• As Friends, Mother And Daughter Savor The Days
  Barbara Cooper has a form of progeria, a genetic disorder that speeds up her body's aging process and causes a shortened life span. But Cooper is 31 — and though her vision long ago began to fail, her mother told her, "You remember your reflection, and that you will always be young in your mind."
• Fence Affects Border Town Culture, Relationships
  The border fence between Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras, Mexico, is forging a physical barrier between towns where culture and economy are closely related. The fence, which has met strong opposition from the mayor of Eagle Pass, has strained relations between the towns.
• First International Body Music Festival
  Keith Terry, the artistic director, talks about the festival now under way in San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. For 30 years, Terry has traveled the world performing and promoting body music — percussive sounds and melodies made by rhythmic chanting, clapping, finger-snapping, foot-stomping and other body movements.
• Automakers Request $34 Billion In Loans
  The Detroit auto companies made another pitch to the Senate Banking Committee for massive loans to keep operating. They were more contrite than last month and offered a lot more details. But it is still unclear whether they will get the $34 billion they say they need to keep going. The auto executives will appear before the House Financial Services Committee Friday.
• Detroit Bailout: A Matter Of National Security?
  One of the arguments made for a bailout of the auto industry is that it is a matter of national security. Is there a connection between the Big Three and the military? Retired Lt. Col. Dakota Wood, of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, says it is a false argument to directly link the auto manufacturers with military-specific combat systems.
• A New Mood Of Public Anger Hits Zimbabwe
  As the country deals with a cholera outbreak, sky-high inflation and short supplies of food and clean water, people are protesting. And the nation's leaders are still battling over how to share power.
• Looking Ahead To College Bowl Games
  This is the final weekend of college football's regular season. Big games will be decided on the field and then computers will decide which tams play for the National Championship.
• Thailand's Image, Tourism Suffering
  Thailand's political unrest is hurting its tourism industry. After protesters seized the country's two main airports, tourists started canceling their holiday plans. The airports are open, but Thailand's image has been tarnished.
• Happiness: It Really Is Contagious
  A new study finds that when one person becomes happy, the effect can spread up to 3 degrees in a social network — reaching friends of friends. Researchers say this is evidence that because our lives are interconnected, so too is our emotional health.
• Gene Discoverer Invited To Nobel Ceremony
  Scientist Douglas Prasher isolated a glowing jellyfish protein gene. When he lost his research funding, three other scientists built on that work. In October, it was announced that two U.S. and one Japanese scientists had won the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Prasher no longer works as a scientist. He now drives a courtesy van. The U.S. scientists who won the prize this week invited Prasher and his wife to Stockholm for the Nobel ceremony. They will thank him in their acceptance speeches and will pay for the trip.

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