The Morning Report 8/22/08 - Daily Minnesota Political Stories

Top Story: MPR poll says Coleman and Franken tied in MN Senate race.

Best of the Blogs and Think Tank Thoughts:

• At Issue’s greatest hits, Politics in Minnesota
• The battle for Pine County, Minnesota Independent
• RNC stage design looking good, True North
• RNC continues its dominance in fundraising, Hot Air
• The first Madia-Paulsen debate, MN Blue
• Barb Davis White slams convention planners, state GOP, Minnesota Independent
  
• CD3 Debate wrap: Madia solid, Paulsen decent, MN Campaign Report
• Declining cities .. and Minneapolis is next, Urban Renaissance Coalition
• Home demolitions: Can North Minneapolis avoid becoming a Little Detroit?, Minnesota Independent
  
• It could’a been Coleman, The Political Animal
• Franken was offered a Democratic convention speaking slot, The Political Animal
• Most exciting RNC ever!, Wright County Republican

Business/Economy:

• By spring, more will wear Delta uniforms, Dow Jones News Service
• Minnesota tax group says vote no on outdoors sales tax, AP
• Minnesota tax group urges ‘no’ vote on outdoors sales tax, MPR
• Amid tough times, TCF prepares to grow, Finance and Commerce
• Just months later, Washington County may opt out of metrowide transit tax, Star Tribune
  
• Community banks bending (but not broken), Finance and Commerce
• Wells Fargo aims $1B at black-owned businesses, MSP Business Journal
  
• Duluth tries to trim budget hole with civic yard sale, MPR
  

Campaigns-Senate:

• Coleman vs. Franken: Investing in the future, MinnPost
• Lord Faris says Franken can’t win, Hibbing Daily Tribune
• MPR poll: Coleman, Franken tied; many undecided, MPR
  
• Poll: Franken, Coleman deadlocked in Minn. Senate race, AP

Campaigns:

• Candidates for Minnesota’s 3rd district hold first debate, MPR
• Congressional 3rd Dist. challengers hold first debate, KSTP
• Minnesota poll finds Obama ahead of McCain, AP
• State Fair a venue no politician can resist, KARE 11
• Energy politics proving difficult to master, New York Times. ‘In MN … the race in the Sixth Congressional District also tells the tale of an energy-policy free-for-all that is challenging candidates and voters alike.’

Education:

• Crumbling Minn. school to send students to nearby district, AP

Environment:

• Sustainable Twin Ports unveils first program, Duluth News Tribune

Opinion-Commentary:

• Craig Westover: More taxes = more civilization? Wrong., Pioneer Press
• Kate Towle: Our public schools are still a good investment, The Bridge

Opinion-Editorial:

• Editorial: Proposed rules would improve lawmaking, Star Tribune
• Editorial: Local ACT scores deserve applause; now let’s do better, Red Wing Republican Eagle

Pawlenty:

• The whereabouts of potential veep picks, AP

People:

• John Brandl’s legacy resonates through Capitol, area classrooms and newsrooms, and state’s public policy, MinnPost

Public Health/Safety:

• Minnesota’s obesity rate continues climb upward, Star Tribune
• Deaf activist suing city of St. Paul, Ramsey County sheriff over treatment, Star Tribune
• Hennepin Co. sees rise in alcohol-related boating accidents, KSTP
• Beltrami County Board told affordable housing units will help homeless families, Bemidji Pioneer
• St. Paul neighborhood steps up to keep community safe, KARE 11
  

Republican National Convention:

• Republican Convention Host Committee overlooks Black businesses, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
• St. Paul bars can stay open til 4 a.m. … for only $500, Pioneer Press
• Free wireless during the RNC? Maybe., News Cut - MPR [PIM staff notes press release: Mayor Rybak will talk with Denver mayor over MySpace on Nicollet Mall later today!]
• Sex trade spikes during conventions, ABC News. Raunchy ads on Minneapolis Craigslist.
  
• Minneapolis 311 service will expand during Republican National Convention, MPR
• Party time! Guests will be wined, dined (and lobbied) at more than 180 bashes during GOP convention, MinnPost
• Couch surfing for politics, Medill News Service

Transportation:

• Scott County commuters unlikely to be riding the rails, Star Tribune

Z-File: Irresistible Stories Beyond the Purview of PIM

• Got butter? Princess Kay can say ‘Yes!’, Star Tribune
• Indiana Dunes are spot of a high hunt: marijuana plants, Chicago Tribune