The Morning Report 7/9/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Story: House GOP Caucus prepares to compete in all 134 House races.

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• Go to hell, KSTP, Minnesota Brown
• The 2008 Most Beautiful People at the Capitol Awards, Defenestrator - The Rake
• Censorship alert, Let Freedom Ring
• Hey, you can’t post there!, Bachmann Blog
• New Al Franken ad, MN Publius
• Library budget ax falls on INFORM, Minnesota Independent
• Marty Seifert: Look everyone, we have women candidates…, Liberal in the Land of Conservative
• Cook Political Report says 2nd District race tightening, The Political Animal
• Gov. Pawlenty’s recipe for bad government, mnpACT!
• Not-so-public radio: MPR refuses to sell MnIndy ads, Minnesota Independent
• GOP gals, Mary’s Page - TPT
  

Business/Economy:

• NWA flight arrivals in middle of industry pack, Star Tribune
• An enriched opportunity for Alliant, Star Tribune
  
• Cargill breaks ground on new Chicago plant, AP
• Cirrus tests small jet for short trips, private use, Star Tribune
  
• Small business owners debate candidates’ economic plans, MPR
• State Fair vendors say no price hike in sight, KARE 11
• Otter Tail seeking OK for first rate increase in two decades, West Central Tribune
• ApothecaryRx is ‘anti-chain’ drugstore chain, Star Tribune
  

Campaigns:

• Report: Kline-Sarvi race in 2nd District looking more competitive, Rochester Post-Bulletin
• Obama campaign revamps trip offer, Star Tribune
• Congressional candidate Sarvi raises $145,000 in second quarter, AP
• Paulsen campaign boasts big donations, MPR
• Superior native to lead Obama campaign in Wisconsin, AP
  

Congress-House:

• Kline addresses energy problems, Red Wing Republican Eagle

Crime/Police:

• Embezzling financial planner pleads guilty, Star Tribune
• Bus crash suspect’s trial will stay in Willmar, MPR
  

Education:

• Former U of M president takes post amid degree scandal in West Virginia, AP
• Anoka-Hennepin superintendent search may go national, Star Tribune
• U of M professor joins President’s economic advisors, MPR
  

Environment:

• U of M researchers report threats to Minnesota’s environment, MPR
• 50-year conservation plan covers all bases, except cost, Star Tribune
• Solar car designed by U of M entering cross-country race, Finance and Commerce
• Blowin’ in the wind: T. Boone Pickens has a Minnesota-friendly energy strategy, The Blotter - City Pages
  

Government-Local:

• Dahlberg to challenge Kron for St. Louis County Board, Duluth News Tribune
• Two first-term Olmsted County board members face primary elections, Rochester Post-Bulletin
• Lawbreakers may pay city under new fine system, Mankato Free Press
  

Judicial:

• Yellow Medicine County to pay costs of public defender cuts, West Central Tribune

Legislature:

• GOP sets a goal of retaking the House, Star Tribune
• MN House Republicans introduce candidate crop, MPR
  
• Smurf politics, News Cut - MPR
  

Media:

• Strib’s offshore-drilling editorial boosts owner’s interests, MinnPost. [Interesting exchange in the comments section - PIM]

Opinion-Commentary:

• Peter Rothfork: Here’s one farmer hurt by ethanol, Star Tribune
• Nick Coleman: As new bridge takes shape, let’s not forget fate of the old, Star Tribune

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Strategies for state’s resources, Bemidji Pioneer
• Editorial: New Ulm heart study a benefit, Mankato Free Press

Other States:

• Water resources in small Oklahoma cities addressed in ‘input meetings,’ Dolan Media Newswires

Public Health/Safety:

• 5 Duluth beaches added to advisory list, AP
• Reaching out to help seniors live at home, Star Tribune
• Minnesota food shelves see high demand in summer, AP
• Complaints against cops frustrating but necessary, Mshale
• Nurses step up efforts to protect against attacks, New York Times. MN nurses surveyed on harassment and assault.
  
• Hennepin Co. Board devotes $4.1M to affordable housing objectives, Fox 9

Republican National Convention:

• St. Paul officials trying to lure retailers downtown for RNC, Finance and Commerce
• Anti-war group fights for new RNC march route, KSTP
  
• Law enforcement agencies train for RNC security detail, Finance and Commerce
• Timing of tent fee increase in city parks is no cause for political flap, officials say, Star Tribune
  

St. Paul/Minneapolis:

• State raises property taxes for 20,000 in Minneapolis, Star Tribune
• Minneapolis, St. Paul parks shine in national report, Star Tribune
• Upheaval continues at the MIA, Star Tribune
  

Technology:

• Tiny URL developer basking in website’s success, Star Tribune

Transportation:

• Central Corridor design plans approved, Finance and Commerce
• Repair to gusset plates begins on Winona bridge, MPR