Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Bike commuting is up, even with lower gas prices
  With gas prices down by half since this summer, it's cheaper to get around than it has been in years. Still, bus ridership, car pooling, even bicycling are up this winter.6:50 a.m.
• Weather with Mark Seeley
  University of Minnesota meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley discusses Minnesota weather history and looks ahead to the weekend weather.6:55 a.m.
• Conflicting MN law on who will judge election contest
  Minnesota's U.S. Senate recount is likely to spur legal challenges after the state canvassing board certifies a winner. The parties can contest the election results in court, but some experts say the legal process itself could be grounds for challenge.7:20 a.m.
• Cities, counties get hit by state budget cuts
  Checks from the state will go out Friday to cities and counties in Minnesota, but many of those checks will be smaller than originally planned. Last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut $110 million in state aid and tax credits in order to balance the budget that ends on June 30th. One of the cities that will feel the pain is Coon Rapids.7:25 a.m.
• For the Vikings, playoffs on the line
  The Vikings take on the New York Giants at the Metrodome on Sunday. If they win, they'll clinch their division and secure a spot in the playoffs for the first time since the 2004 season.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Economically Speaking, Just How Bad Was 2008?
  As 2008 comes to a close, many people are scratching their heads and thinking, "What in the world just happened to our economy?" Some remarkable financial and economic events have plunged the world into what appears to be the worst recession since World War II. But just a year ago, the huge breakdown was largely unforeseen.
• What America Needs In Its New First Dog
  Once they're settled into the White House, the Obamas will begin their search for America's new top dog. Experts say the family should look for an outgoing dog, but one that won't try to run the show.
• Finding A Child A Home For The Holidays
  Sister Mary DeSalles Collins worked for more than 50 years at New York Foundling, one of the oldest adoption agencies in New York City. She found homes for hundreds of children. But one case stands out.
• Con Man Turned Rabbi Conned In Ponzi Scheme
  Reformed con man Mark Borovitz recently found out he'd been conned. Now a rabbi, Borovitz runs a synagogue and treatment center in Culver City, Calif. The endowment for his organization lost as much as $300,000 in the alleged Ponzi scheme run by Bernard Madoff. Rabbi Borovitz talks with Renee Montagne about how much that loss will hurt his group.
• 'Sesame Street' Changed Television For Children
  When Sesame Street made its TV debut in 1969, it was thanks to Joan Ganz Cooney, co-creater of the show and of the Children's Television Workshop. She laid out the vision, hustled the money and assembled the creative team, including Jim Henson, to create one of the most successful television shows in TV history.
• Will The NFL's Detroit Lions Make It 0-16?
  While the race for the playoffs continues in the NFL, one big question remains: Can the Detroit Lions go the entire season without winning a game?
• Orchestra Spreads Classical Music In Bolivia
  A movement is brewing in Bolivia. It has nothing to do with political turmoil that has plagued the South American country. Instead, classical music is in the air. A little-known but up-and-coming orchestra is spreading the sounds of Bach and Beethoven across the administrative capital La Paz, and even into some of Bolivia's most forgotten places.
• Father Returns To Mexico; Should Son Follow?
  Youth Radio's Luis Sierra describes his father's decision to return to Mexico after decades in the United States. His father believes the U.S. economy is so bad, he can find better jobs in Mexico. Some other parents are doing the same thing. Luis has to decide whether he should stay and finish college or take his chances finishing his education in Mexico and job-hunting there.
• Initial Figures Indicate Retail Sales Not Jolly News
  Preliminary figures by SpendingPulse indicate retail sales this season fell by as much as 4 percent overall. SpendingPulse is a division of MasterCard Advisors and keeps track of total purchases by cash, check and credit card. Major retailers will start releasing their sales results Jan. 8.
• NASA Awards Contracts To Supply Space Station
  For the first time, NASA is planning to privatize supply operations for the International Space Station. The agency has awarded roughly $3 billion worth of contracts to two companies to develop rockets to haul cargo to the orbiting outpost.

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