The Morning Report - 12/27/07 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Stories: Outlook good for Iron Range taconite plants, Appeals court overturns subpoena of reporter’s notes, Ruling limits MN agency’s power over special education,, Ramstad denies he plans to seek re-election, Utility companies report a record number of shutoffs.



Agriculture:

• Farmers weigh conservation against making a profit, MPR

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• Conference call with Michelle Bachmann, Captain’s Quarters
• My Minnesota: Class warfare?, MN 2020
• MN school districts are Energy Star leaders, MN Monitor
• Claiming Wellstone’s legacy, MN Democrats Exposed
  
• Veterans for Congress: A winning strategy?, Star Tribune - The Big Question
• Norm Coleman and Iran, MN Blue
  

Business/Economy:

• Outlook good for Iron Range taconite plants, Duluth News Tribune
• Logging industry took step ahead, two steps back in 2007, Mesabi Daily News
• Midwest farmers are tilting at wind turbines, LA Times. MN ranks third in nation for wind power generated.
• Northwest CEO says fares are likely to rise if oil prices don’t fall, AP
• Fish processing resumes at Red Lake plant, Duluth News Tribune
• Xcel nuclear plant back to full power, Reuters
  

Campaigns:

• Ramstad denies he plans to seek re-election, AP

Congress-House:

• Bachmann reports progress after ground-level visit to Iraq, AP

Crime/Police:

• Appeals court overturns subpoena of reporter’s notes, AP. [MN shield law upheld to protect press sources. What about FOX9's Tom Lyden, whose sources got searched by St. Paul police? --PIM Staff]

Education:

• Ruling limits MN agency’s power over special education, AP
• ATC law enforcement eyes big expansion, Alexandria Echo Press

Environment:

• Ruling keeps pollution standard for Northshore Mining, Duluth News Tribune
• Minn. appeals court affirms land acquisition for trail, West Central Tribune
• Monitoring to show climate impact on Minnesota lakes, Stillwater Courier
  

Health Care:

• Duluth to switch retirees’ health-care plan, Duluth News Tribune

I-35W Bridge Collapse:

• New 35W bridge to be finished one year from today, KSTP
• Bush OKs I-35W, convention money, AP

Media:

• Despite woes, McClatchy banks on newspapers, Wall Street Journal
  

Opinion-Commentary:

• Allen Levine: Here’s a highlight of the Farm Bill, Star Tribune
• Lori Sturdevant: The Minnesota faces behind the races, Star Tribune
  
• Gabriel Roth: Let insurers issue driving licenses to illegal immigrants, Pioneer Press
• William Falk: You must remember this, New York Times. I-35W bridge collapse on the list.
  

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Can we really afford forced retirements?, Star Tribune
• Highs, lows and tragedy in transit, St. Cloud Times

Pawlenty:

• Pawlenty honors 22 for troop help, Fargo Forum

Public Health/Safety:

• Utility companies report a record number of shutoffs, MPR
• Former ICE agent joins law firm that defends immigrants, AP
• U of M’s cyanide research paying off, Star Tribune
  

• Volunteer’s gift to Habitat is a home at the holidays, Star Tribune

Z-File:

• Sugar gliders banned in St. Paul, Star Tribune
• 2007 Departures: Grape Pop-Tarts and other junk food faves, Wallet Pop