Morning headlines from DenverPost.com

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Today's Front Page News

Denver residents help less fortunate on Thanksgiving
There is nothing like a Thanksgiving morning to awaken hunger. And so, in the slanting sunlight, more than 10,000 people found themselves cinched into running shoes and poised at the starting line of the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot.  

• Requests for help in burial cost soar
• Downtown Denver will light up tonight for holidays
• On Black Friday, small businesses promote service over splash
• Colorado bargain-hunters line up early for Black Friday deals
• Ryan Miller savors his last chance to play for CU

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Today's Local Politics

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper wrongly excludes Republican applicants for university board seat
Gov. John Hickenlooper goofed last month when he sought applicants for the board, saying in a news release that contenders "must be registered as either a Democrat or unaffiliated voter."  

• Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler proposes rewriting of state campaign-finance rules
• Mark Ferrandino, new Colorado House minority leader, overcame challenging childhood

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Today's Business

Tablet computers must-have electronic device this holiday season
'Tis the season of the tablet. Despite the gloomy economy, shoppers are expected to shell out for tablet computers this December, making them about as popular as candy canes and twinkling lights.  

• Requests for help in burial cost soar
• New Mars rover to lift off, care of Colorado parts
• On Black Friday, small businesses promote service over splash
• Colorado bargain-hunters line up early for Black Friday deals
• Search engine Bing leans on Rudolph to drive up holiday traffic

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Today's Sports Headlines

Longhorns' last-second field goal stuns A&M, 27-25
The Texas Longhorns gave their cross-state rival a goodbye present Thursday that added an appropriate — and agonizing — footnote to Texas A&M's disappointing final football season as a Big 12 member.  

• Bailey kicks Dallas to victory
• It's now 11-0 for Packers after 27-15 victory over Lions
• Ravens beat 49ers 16-6 in Harbaugh Bowl
• Formula 1 drivers aren't fazed by 2010 attack on Button
• Former Abraham Lincoln star Francisco Cruz shining at Wyoming

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Today's Entertainment

A more human, tender "Phantom"
Review: Boulder's Dinner Theatre's artfully presented and elegantly performed production of "Phantom" is a return to what it does best — telling rich, sophisticated stories with dramatic, emotional and technical complexity. Rating: ***1/2  

• On stages large and small across Colorado, "Nutcracker" takes a bow
• Movie review: "Janie Jones" is a rock 'n' roll family reunion
• Movie review: "The Revenge of the Electric Car" doc isn't all that sweet
• Box office
• Art Show Openings, 11/25/11

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Today's Style

Side dishes for the special feast: As seed or veggie, fennel brings plenty to plate
Licorice as a Thanksgiving flavor? Kind of, and it's surprisingly good.It's easier — and more delicious — than you might think. That's because fennel, as both a seed and a vegetable, can lend a delicate and even sweet anise flavor to the meal — from soup to dessert and every dish in between.