Inside the Box

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The economy grew faster than expected at the end of 2009.

The 5.7 percent annual growth rate in the fourth quarter was the fastest pace since 2003, but the growth could be stunted if people don't start spending money.

Consumers account for 70 percent of economic activity, but with an unemployment rate at 10 percent and wages flat or falling, experts worry it'll be a while before people feel comfortable parting with their cash again.

So how are you feeling about the health of our economy? Are you hopeful? Are you ready to spend again and, if so, what purchases are on the horizon for your family?

Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

President Barack Obama will hit the road today to bring his “let’s not give-up” message to more people.

The President told the nation Wednesday that he knows Americans have been unhappy and frustrated about the pace of change since he was elected.

He's promising to work extra hard on getting millions back to work and to do something about Wall Street greed and Washington bickering.

Obama also urged Congress to pass a second jobs bill along with a proposal for a new tax credit for small businesses that hire workers or raise the wages of current ones.

We'd love to hear what you thought of President Obama's plans to create jobs and knock down our nation's debt.

Is he heading in the right direction? Or do you not think he's doing enough?

Step inside the box and have your say.

It seems the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are now trying to save Punxsutawney Phil.

You know him. He's the groundhog that is used in Pennsylvania every Feb. 2 to tell us how much more winter we'll have to put up with.

PETA says it's unfair to keep the groundhog in captivity and subject him to the huge crowds and bright lights every Groundhog Day. Instead, PETA thinks the organizers of the event should replace Phil with a robotic stand-in.

Organizers say Phil is treated with the best care possible. He even has his own climate controlled environment which is inspected by state regulators every year.

So what do you think about PETA's request for a stand-in? Is it just their way of getting more publicity? Or do you think Punxsutawney Phil really is mistreated?

Step Inside the Box and have your say.

Photo: AP

Beginning Tuesday, a federal law for bus and truck drivers makes it illegal to text and drive.

In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in accidents with distracted drivers, more than a half million were injured.

Nineteen states, including Minnesota and the District of Columbia have already banned texting while driving any vehicle.

This new federal regulation affects all commerical drivers.

Those who break the law could be hit with a $2,700 fine. Minnesota's law against texting for non-commercial drivers carries as much as a $300 fine.

So what do you think about the texting ban for all commercial drivers? Is it the right thing to do? What about the punishment are the fines too much?

Step inside the box and have your say.

Alright Vikings fans -- here's your chance to do a little venting.

Let it all out.

Was yesterday’s overtime loss to the Saints one of the hardest on you?

Or maybe you're OK with the loss and you're just proud of how far the team got this year.

Either way we'd love to hear from you inside the box.

The Vikings are heading straight down the Mississippi into the Big Easy for the NFC Championship game against New Orleans.

It’s a matchup many have been looking forward to all year and Sunday it will finally be here.

No doubt it will be a battle of quarterbacks.

Drew Brees and the Saints led the NFL in points this year.  Brett Favre and the Vikings were right behind them.

So with all that said what will the difference maker be in Sunday’s game?

What do the Vikings need to do to get the 'W' and the trip to the Super Bowl?

Make your predictions right now inside the box.

As we know the Vikings are taking a trip down the Mississippi to take on New Orleans for the NFC Championship on Sunday.

The game will be played inside their dome -- the Superdome.

Now we've had lots of success inside our dome -- the Metrodome, but the Superdome is different in many ways.

So today inside the box we're getting your take on our dome.

What do you think it is about the Dome that helps the Vikes play so well there?

And on the other end what do you think is the worst part about watching a football game at the dome?

Step inside the box and have your say.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the state's Public Safety Commissioner are announcing a new initiative for drunk drivers in the state, which could mean tougher penalties for DWI drivers who get pulled over. 

Right now, a first-time offender can be sentenced to 90 days in jail, and could receive a $1,000 fine. 

So what do you think about Minnesota's drunk driving laws?  Should they be tougher and if so, what penalties would you like to see?  Or are they fine the way they are?  Step inside the box and have your say.

The Minnesota Wild is credited with calling Minnesota the "state of hockey," but we all know it's much more than a motto. It's a reality. Ask any outsider, and they think all Minnesotans play hockey. That's not quite true, but more than 51,000 kids do. And that's just on registered teams.

You probably know a kid who thinks he or she was born wearing skates. Odds are good you yourself are a parent who's skimped and saved to pay for equipment and ice time. From dads who painstakingly groom the neighborhood rinks to moms who live their lives cheering for players, shuttling them to practices and raising money for teams to stay on the ice... there's no doubt we do all we can to support the sport.

In 1994, lawmakers listened to the people and stepped up to keep hockey thriving in Minnesota. They approved funding for the expansion of 61 ice arenas. It is a key reason that, today, no state comes close to ours in the number of girls playing hockey. We were the first to host a state high school hockey tournament for girls. And today, you can look at any women's college team in the country and you're sure to find a Minnesotan.

Minnesota is the state of hockey. No doubt. But it's not easy. It's an expensive, time-consuming and competitive commitment. So, how do you make it work in your family? From finding time for dinner between practices to carpools and more, what creative solutions are working in your community? And, do you think we're doing enough to keep the sport affordable and fun for kids? We know we love to play hockey. Today, this is the place to talk about it!

Image credit: Jupiter Images