The Morning Report 8/21/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Story: Prime RNC speech spot for Pawlenty might hint at VP choice.

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• Pawlenty for veep?, Power Line Blog
• The improbable rise of Ashwin Madia, MN Blue
• A special note to Lt. Governor Carol Molnau, True North
• Putting the bottle before the cart, SCSU Scholars
• Transit tax reducing other taxes? Really?, mnpACT!
• Paulsen spokesman Brodkorb dishonest about push polling, MN Publius
  
• Minneapolis housing market woes, SCSU Scholars
• Ashwin Madia: Iraq another limitless program Congress is afraid to confront, Congress Blog - The Hill
  
• The Obama effect: A big boost for Franken, MN Campaign Report
• Campaigns traverse Iron Range; more to come, Minnesota Brown
• Global Gov, Mary’s Page - TPT
• Bloomberg profiles PolyMet, Minnesota Brown
  

Business/Economy:

• Bankruptcy for Johnson turning into liquidation, Star Tribune
• Your leaders want you to stay in town, Pioneer Press
• State to provide foreclosure counseling at State Fair, Finance and Commerce
  

Campaigns:

• Minnesota rallies aim to unify female voters around Obama ticket, Star Tribune
• MPR poll: Obama leads, but contest is fluid, MPR
• Paulsen, Madia camps trade attacks over PACs, Polinaut - MPR
• McCain hopes to turn the tide in Great Lakes area, Washington Post. Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and other Minnesotans quoted.

Congress-Senate:

• Just days after GOP convention wrap-up, Sen. Craig gets his next day in court, MinnPost

Crime/Police:

• New Brighton councilman wants solicitation charges dropped, AP

Elections:

• GOP Hopes to Swing Minnesota for McCain, NPR

Government-Local:

• Duluth councilor says he has plan to avoid layoffs, keep libraries open, Duluth News Tribune

Health Care:

• Judge: Company must give experimental drug to Minnesota teen, AP

Legislature:

• Profile: Rep. Al Juhnke, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report

Media:

• Ex-Stribber: It’s the management, stupid, The Blotter - City Pages
• KFAI hopes power-up will reverse listenership drop, MinnPost

Obituary:

• Brandl, ‘giant’ in politics, economics, Pioneer Press
• John Brandl, policymaker, public servant, Star Tribune

Opinion-Commentary:

• Myles Spicer: Beware the ‘no new taxes’ siren song, MinnPost

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Will all rise for Judge Jesse?, Star Tribune
• Editorial: One year after flooding, communities endure, Rochester Post-Bulletin
• Editorial: Message on drinking is misdirected, Bemidji Pioneer

Other States:

• A tax revolt is quietly brewing in some states, Wall Street Journal

Pawlenty:

• A hint? A choice spot for Pawlenty, Star Tribune
• Pawlenty signs hunger pledge, hints at Africa trip, AP

Public Health/Safety:

• Government food aid on rise among Minnesotans, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report
• American Indians in Minnesota have greatly elevated cancer rates, Star Tribune
• U study: Stadium beer vendors too lax, Pioneer Press

Republican National Convention:

• RNC announces speakers, Pioneer Press
• RNC announces speakers list, MPR
• ACLU solicits attorneys to represent RNC protesters, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report
• St. Paul’s parking plan aims to reduce traffic snarls, Finance and Commerce
  
• The anarchists are coming: Media scare tactics unfounded, anti-RNC groups say, TC Daily Planet
• Hennepin courts plan Labor Day sessions during RNC, Pioneer Press
• ‘Street medics’ gear up for RNC protests, MPR
• Groups plan for commuter triage during RNC, Finance and Commerce
  
• Who’s watching you?, News Cut - MPR
• RNC staffers share their out-of-town impressions of the Twin Cities, MPR
• Rising stars of the GOP will dominate the podium, Pioneer Press
• St. Paul bike officers to hit streets during RNC, KARE 11
• Stretch of 94 still looking trashy before RNC, WCCO
  

St. Paul/Minneapolis:

• Dateline Minneapolis: North Sider’s dare has plenty of takers, Star Tribune
• St. Paul landmark set to reopen for the Republican National Convention, MPR
  

Transportation:

• Transit tax board commits to Central Corridor, Hiawatha, MPR
• The first transit tax test, News Cut - MPR
• Wayzata seeks ’some middle ground’ on traffic tickets, Star Tribune. Transportation Chair Sen. Steve Murphy spoke out last session against local govt-issued ‘cocktail napkin tickets.’