Ruth Murman's bank denied a two week extension on her home's foreclosure. KARE 11 says OccupyMN organizers circulated the story and filed a petition - within two hours Murman's bank granted the extension.

Despite a drop in foreclosures in the Twin Cities last year, 2012 will not likely be the year that the housing crisis winds down. The Star Tribune reports that a moratorium on processing new foreclosures has ended, which will likely increase the number of local foreclosures processed in the coming year.

Over the next two years, Minneapolis Public Schools will move 4,900 high school students off yellow school buses and give them metro bus passes. The district sites flexibility for students as a main consideration. But, some parents worry about safety on public transportation.

The study by Time Magazine found that when it comes to personality and credit, nicer people tend to have lower credit scores than disagreeable and rude people.

Organizers with the group Occupy Homes say their efforts to help homeowners fight foreclosure are showing signs of success, MPR reports. The group's staged sit-ins at foreclosed properties have led to 40 arrests, including local rapper Brother Ali outside a Minneapolis home last month.

The tornado that swept through north Minneapolis a year ago Tuesday damaged thousands of homes and businesses. It also dented pocketbooks. When the costs to homeowners, taxpayers, insurance companies, and charitable groups are totaled, the Star Tribune estimates the price tag came to $80 million.

MPR reports one in every 336 homes was in default, repossession or scheduled for auction in the third quarter of this year. That could be a sign of more foreclosures to come.

A report from the McKnight Foundation finds the number of foreclosures prevented by housing agencies and advocacy groups is going up. But not quite as fast as the number of foreclosures.