MINNESOTA

Republicans leave convention with problems

Their party faces a $1.3 million debt, ideological differences and lingering questions about a sex scandal, and Republicans leaving their state convention Saturday both acknowledged the problems and kept their chins up.

By Don Davis, St. Paul Bureau, Forum Communications Co. , May 23, 2012

Minnesota campaign season arrives with filing process

ST. PAUL - Minnesota’s campaign season officially began today. As she has for five elections, Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, stayed overnight on her lawn chair in a hallway outside the secretary of state’s office to be first in line to file candidate paperwork.

By Don Davis, Forum Communications Co , May 22, 2012

Governor to decide on public works borrowing

A plan to borrow $500 million for public works projects is headed to Gov. Mark Dayton, who is expected to sign it into law.

By Danielle Nordine, St. Paul Bureau , May 09, 2012

'Build it now' is chant at Capitol as Vikings stadium vote approaches

ST. PAUL - Purple electricity began filling the Minnesota Capitol this morning, hours before the state House is to begin debate on building a new Vikings stadium.

By Don Davis, dl-online , May 07, 2012

With Minnesota wolf hunt a reality, DNR is working on logistics

Minnesotans will be able to hunt and trap wolves legally for the first time in 38 years this fall. Now the Department of Natural Resources will have to hustle put the framework and mechanics of the season together in just a few months.

By Sam Cook, Duluth News Tribune , May 05, 2012

Vikings stadium plan to be debated Monday in Minnesota legislature

It will be a Monday night football game like none other. The Minnesota Legislature plans to finally debate a Vikings stadium plan Monday, a debate many predict to last 12 hours in each chamber. The $975 million facility is the single largest construction project state lawmakers ever have considered.

By Don Davis, dl-online , May 04, 2012

Fisherman refutes critics of potential state walleye record, bait shop owner questions fish size

BEMIDJI – By nature, fishermen have to be laid-back types who can spend the better part of a day content with a bite that never comes. But they also have to be competitive because the goal each trip is to outwit the fish.

By Pat Miller, Bemidji Pioneer , May 04, 2012

GOP drops its new Vikings stadium proposal - Full Legislature to vote on original plan on Monday

The Minnesota Legislature is going back to its original Vikings stadium proposal — and a final vote is set for Monday. And a modest bonding proposal has risen from the ashes.

By By Don Davis and Danielle Nordine, State Capitol Bureau , May 03, 2012

Dayton willing to consider ‘harebrained’ plan for stadium

ST. PAUL – Gov. Mark Dayton is willing to consider what he called a “harebrained scheme” to build a Vikings stadium.

By Don Davis, dl-online , May 03, 2012

Republicans in midst of stadium plan do-over

Minnesota Republican lawmakers say it is time for a Vikings stadium plan do-over. GOP leaders said Tuesday that they are crafting a plan less expensive for the state than one awaiting House and Senate votes. Gov. Mark Dayton and Democratic legislative leaders learned of the proposal Tuesday morning, By telling reporters about it they forced Republicans who control the Legislature to reveal the concept that has been discussed in private for two weeks. While many Republicans appear to like the plan, Democrats are upset they have not been involved. The Vikings rejected it.

By Don Davis, Forum Communications , May 02, 2012

Lawmakers look to change stadium proposal -- Dayton says Republicans, Vikings officials have been meeting in secret

ST. PAUL -- Legislators are looking at ways to change the Vikings stadium proposal, including discussions about an open-air stadium and the possibility of repaying construction loans with general tax money.

By By Don Davis, State Capitol Bureau , May 01, 2012

Vikings fan camps out for stadium at Minnesota Capitol

Larry Spooner loves Vikings football so much that he has taken more than 40 days of vacation over the years to ask legislators to approve a new stadium.

By Don Davis, State Capitol Bureau , May 01, 2012

Last legislative day? Probably not

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Legislature was supposed to adjourn today, but an hour-and-a-half high-level meeting broke up at mid-afternoon with only an agreement to talk again.

By By Don Davis and Danielle Nordine, State Capitol Bureau , April 30, 2012

Early fishing opener left off latest bills

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota’s hunting and fishing license fees would increase and wolves could be hunted and trapped under a compromise that state House and Senate negotiators have worked out. However, the much-discussed provision to start the fishing season a week early this year did not make the cut.

By Don Davis, State Capitol Bureau , April 29, 2012

Vikings stadium bill survives tough fight; to get full Senate vote

ST. PAUL – A Vikings stadium construction plan will receive a full Senate vote after what its Senate author described as a brutal Friday committee hearing lasting more than five hours.

By Danielle Nordine and Don Davis, State Capitol Bureau , April 29, 2012