The Morning Report 12/13/07 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Stories: Iron Range metals deposit could be one of world’s largest; Campaign board won’t look into Ritchie allegations; Congresswoman McCollum backs Obama for president; Police Chief Dolan presents new diversity plan; Home sale price drop is deepest of the year in Twin Cities.

Agriculture:

• Farm bill will influence food shelf future, MPR
• Senate rejects latest attempt to scale back farm subsidies, AP
  

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• This ain’t Route 66, MPR Polinaut
• St. Paul Cops v. KMSP’s Tom Lyden, Lambert to the Slaughter
• In line at the trough, True North
  
• St. Paul cops go after reporter’s cell records; Fletcher goes after cops, MinnPost
• Protesters Plan A: Shut down the convention, True North
• Nelson-Pallmeyer surprisingly is DFL’s best chance to beat Norm Coleman, MinnPost
  

Business/Economy:

• Investments cost ADC $29 million, Star Tribune
• Home sale price drop is deepest of the year in Twin Cities, Star Tribune
• India, a stirring giant, is the new place to see and be seen, New York Times. Features Pawlenty’s India trip and “spicy MN milk.”
• Northland businesses to use state money for training, Duluth News Tribune
• Euronet says it made bid for Moneygram, AP
  
• NWA files for pilot pension OK, MSP Business Journal
• Lawsuit: Target, others sold ‘organic’ milk that wasn’t organic, AP
  
• Iron Range metals deposit could be one of world’s largest, MPR
• Company says Range metals deposits could be world’s third-largest, Duluth News Tribune
• Judge extends freeze on McGuire’s stock options, MPR
  

Campaigns:

• Campaign board won’t look into Ritchie allegations, AP
• Let the (endorsement) dance begin, Star Tribune
• Congresswoman McCollum backs Obama for president, Pioneer Press
  

Congress-House:

• Budget deadlock frustrates Walz, Mankato Free Press

Crime/Police:

• Police Chief Dolan presents new diversity plan, MPR
• Drug sentencing guidelines in Minnesota are often ignored by judges, MPR

Education:

• As deadline approaches, Minneapolis teachers call for fair contract, Workday MN

Environment:

• Biomass power plant planned for south Minneapolis, MPR

Health Care:

• 4,500 patients at 3 metro clinics must be revaccinated, Star Tribune
• New VA clinics in Rice Lake, Hayward shut down suddenly, Duluth News Tribune
• State accuses Blue Shield of illegal cancellations, LA Times
• For religious group, true charity begins on operating table, Wall Street Journal. (Features U of M transplant center)

Labor:

• AFSCME to vote on Duluth city contract today, Duluth News Tribune

Opinion-Commentary:

• Mitch Pearlstein: How to fight segregation? Well, heard of vouchers?, Star Tribune
• David Broder: Obama’s Oprah jackpot, Washington Post. Features former MN DFL operative.
• Kim Norton: Stimulating job growth will overcome budget shortfall, Rochester Post-Bulletin

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Some progress on education law, Star Tribune

Pawlenty:

• Let’s look ahead — far ahead: Pawlenty runs for a third term, MinnPost

Public Health/Safety:

• Facing winter without heat puts big chill on families, Star Tribune
• Minnesota’s Leech Lake Reservation opens doors to alcohol- and drug-free housing development, Fargo Forum
  
• Another swastika, cross-burning symbol found on SCSU campus, Star Tribune
• Study faults charities for veterans, Washington Post
• Students educate public on finance, St. Cloud Times
  

Republican National Convention:

• As GOP spotlight swings toward St. Paul, a new primer on state’s political culture, Pioneer Press. Chuck Slocum on the RNC.
• Students to get look at politics in action, Star Tribune
• Augsburg College to host internship program during RNC, MPR
  

St. Paul/Minneapolis:

• Minneapolis Park Board votes to increase fees, close 5 skating rinks, Star Tribune
• Metro Council grants boost projects, Pioneer Press
  
• St. Paul votes to keep billboard ban in place, Star Tribune
• St. Paul OKs 15.1% hike in tax levy, Pioneer Press
  
• Minneapolis’ 2008 budget relies on increase in taxes, fees, Star Tribune
  

Transportation:

• Inspection complete of county bridges; 9 need to be replaced, West Central Tribune
• Bridge inspections to be completed next week, Bemidji Pioneer

Z-File: (irresistible stories uncategorizable or otherwise below the radar. -ed.)

• Duluth residents want city to permit chicken raising, MPR
• Heavy metal holiday, Politico.com