The Morning Report 7/3/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Story: Obama visiting Fargo-Moorhead; NYC mayor Bloomberg to boost Independence Party.

Publisher’s Note: We won’t be publishing a Morning Report, tomorrow, July 4. Everyone at PIM wishes all our readers a happy, patriotic and safe Fourth of July holiday with family and friends. And do respect and enjoy that ‘Sewn in the U.S.A.‘ flag!

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• Coleman’s out-of-touch record: education, MN Campaign Report
• Paper profits, Across the Great Divide.
• Battleground states through the lens of the U.S. Senate, Smart Politics
• Liberal blog busted leaving attacks on Franken Wikipedia page, MN Democrats Exposed [Joe Bodell responds]
  
• AG matters: silly little things or a big waste of money?, MN Campaign Report
• MN GOP Energy Petition - About Time, Residual Forces
• Deep Thoughts with Don Huizenga, MN Publius
• John Kline’s energy tour, you are not welcome to attend, MN Blue

Business/Economy:

• Reporter’s Notebook: The Minnesota Defense Industry, The Blotter
• Wal-Mart faces MN labor law trial, Bloomberg News
• Got a plan to cut gas prices? Join the club, Pioneer Press
  
• For Old Glory, sewn in the U.S.A. is the law, Star Tribune
• Starbucks regulars hope their shop stays caffeinated, KARE 11
  
• Downtown Lakeville has something new in store, Star Tribune
  
• ATK wins $250M Air Force contract, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
  
• UnitedHealth cuts 4,000 jobs and 2008 outlook, AP
• Making friends with money, Finance & Commerce
  
• State park visits dip but gas prices may help rebound, MPR
• RV’s packed up but staying close to home, KARE 11
  
  
• Foreclosures have officials in Scott, Dakota pondering how to help, Star Tribune
  
  
• UnitedHealth to pay over $900M to settle suits, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
  
  
• NWA, Delta employees seek oil-price action, Star Tribune
• Vinyl LP is back in mainstream rotation, Star Tribune
  
• Your Friendly Neighborhood War Profiteer, City Pages
  

Campaigns-Senate:

• Coleman, Franken trade barbs over gas-price politics, Star Tribune
• Gas protesters rally in Moorhead, Fargo Forum
• Starring Al Franken (as Himself), Minnesota Monthly
• Energy policy is key issue in Minnesota senate race, AP
• Sen. Coleman accused of ethics lapse for D.C. housing arrangement, Pioneer Press
• Comedian Looks to Unseat GOP Senator in Minnesota, PBS NewsHour
• Senate candidates push gas prices to front of campaign, MPR
• MN Senate race will shatter spending records, KARE11

Campaigns:

• Reality check: free money for political campaigns, WCCO
• All about Obama, Washington Post. ‘The perfectly-turned event put together by Barack Obama’s team at the Xcel Center in MN was apparent to even the most casual political observer.’
• Gas prices a political pit stop focus, Mankato Free Press
  
• Pope County commissioner, Starbuck farmer endorsed as GOP candidate for House 13A, West Central Tribune
• Buesgens has a challenger; others file for election, Jordan Independent
• Scott County Board chair to step aside, Star Tribune

Crime/Police:

• Some sacred loot found in box in archbishop’s closet, Star Tribune
• What is a “No Match” Letter?, La Prensa
• More and more drive-offs involve stolen license plates, Star Tribune

Education:

• No more pencils, no more books, City Pages
• Inventing summer, MPR
• The ’60s Begin to Fade as Liberal Professors Retire, NY Times
• Osseo school board to voters: ‘We need the dollars’, Star Tribune
  

Elections:

• St. Paul instant-runoff voting question to stay off ballot, Star Tribune

Environment:

• Ballast water discharge permits open for public comment, MPR
• Dakota County Park goes extra super green, KARE 11