The Morning Report 1/31/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Stories: The bovine TB challenge, Woodbury may get new spin on school power, North metro road projects lagging, Minnesota orders schools not to use beef from California plant, Contractor might repay some costs of staircase at I-35W site.
Agriculture:

• Hog producers losing money, MPR
• The bovine TB challenge, MPR
  

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• The future of polling, Politics in Minnesota
• They have a pledge?, True North
• Norm Coleman conference call with conservative bloggers, MN Blue
• Words mean what Jim Oberstar says they mean, True North
• Ex-City Pages boss Perry thinking new gig?, Lambert to the Slaughter
• McCain in Minnesota, Mary’s Page - TPT
• Info on the Barack Obama event, MN Publius
• NRP post-2009: $3 million city-controlled?, TC Daily Planet
  

Business/Economy:

• Hormel to build new plant for microwave meals, Star Tribune
• Mesaba testimony heard, Mesabi Daily News
  

Campaigns:

• With state caucuses looming, DFL’s Senate candidates ramp up campaigns to challenge Coleman, MinnPost
• Edwards says Minn. supporters ‘almost changed my mind,’ Pioneer Press
• Obama to appear at Target Center this Saturday, Star Tribune
• Edwards’ Minnesota supporters are stunned: Where do they go from here?, MinnPost
  
• Stillwater attorney running for office to prove his children wrong, Pioneer Press
• Nelson-Pallmeyer brings campaign for Senate to Bemidji, Bemidji Pioneer
  
• Apple Valley DFLer exits, vet enters House race, Star Tribune
• Edwards, Giuliani withdraw from race, Washington Post. Edwards drop-out could help Obama in MN.
• The final two in a multifront battle, New York Times. MN caucus state focus for Obama because of “strong anti-war sentiment.”
• A face-off, not necessarily televised, New York Times. Romney focusing on MN, McCain not.
• Poll: Clinton, McCain leading in Minnesota, MPR

Crime/Police:

• Wisconsin AG proposes crime alert program based on Minnesota plan, AP

Education:

• Brainerd plans to close two schools, MPR
• St. Paul school official wins fellowship to further career, Star Tribune
  

Environment:

• Woodbury may get new spin on school power, Star Tribune
• Coleman supports clean-coal projects, Mesabi Daily News
  

I-35W Bridge Collapse:

• Contractor might repay some costs of staircase at I-35W site, Star Tribune

Judicial:

• Congressional delegation calls for cooperation in Justice probe, MPR
• Agency chief alleges interference in probe of U.S. Attorney firings, Washington Post. Includes Paulose management style
  investigation.
• Missouri’s Nonpartisan Court Plan reform effort gets new name, Web site, Dolan Media Newswires

Labor:

• HealthPartners workers authorize strike in February, Workday MN
• Long waits for jobless benefits have been cut, Star Tribune

Legislature:

• Finstad looking forward to time with family, Mankato Free Press

Media:

• Should the government support journalism?, MPR

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: State’s economic role: Aim for long-term lift, Star Tribune

Pawlenty:

• Pawlenty campaign hauled in more than $850,000 in 2007, AP

Public Health/Safety:

• Minnesota orders schools not to use beef from California plant, Star Tribune
• Owners of dog killed by pit bulls want stricter laws for breed, Star Tribune
• Schools find new ways to communicate during crisis, MPR
  

Transportation:

• North metro road projects lagging, Star Tribune

Wisconsin:

• Anti-smoking groups reject latest offer on Wisconsin smoking ban, AP