Today's Question Blog

Is owning a cabin part of your Minnesota dream?
The number of cabin owners in Minnesota has dipped down a bit from 125,000 in 2005, to 122,000 in 2012, according to Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates. But time at the lake is still an important tradition for many Minnesotans. MPR News reporter Dan Kraker writes: Inside a simple, brown cabin…
What should be the U.S. policy on drone use overseas?
AP: President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America’s controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an evolving U.S. counterterrorism policy. But he acknowledged the targeted strikes are no “cure-all” and said he is haunted by the civilians unintentionally killed. “For the first time, the U.S. government has acknowledged killing four American…
Would smarter guns make us safer?
There might be a technological solution to reducing gun violence. A high-tech start up has created “a wireless controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved — and disable it remotely,” reports the AP. Smart guns aren’t a new idea, but technology has advanced since they were first introduced.…
Scotty Magnuson literally running last bill to House. #mnleg now Adjourned pic.twitter.com/dL1QYiAPv5 — Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) May 21, 2013 In addition to legalizing same-sex marriage, lawmakers raised taxes by $2 billion and passed a bill that will let some child and home care workers vote to unionize. Session highlights from the last 48 hours:  Legislature…
A significant achievement gap exists between white students and students of color: 70 percent of white students graduate in four years, but for African-American and Latino students it’s less than 37 percent. Only a quarter of American Indian students graduate on time. “In the latest effort to boost student performance, the Minneapolis school district wants…
What do you make of the tax deal reached by Gov. Dayton and legislative leaders?
MPR Video/Tom Scheck “Governor Dayton and DFL legislative leaders have announced a deal on an overall tax bill that would increase roughly $2 billion in new taxes,” writes MPR News reporter Tom Scheck. “The plan would create a new fourth tier income tax rate of 9.85 percent on couples with an after-tax income of $250,000…
Should police be allowed to use drones for crime fighting?
“The Federal Aviation Administration has granted a special permit for the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department and the University of North Dakota to fly drones in 16 North Dakota counties, where they are training officers to use the drones,” reports Dan Gunderson for MPR News. Small drones could save police time and money, but privacy advocates…
What do you think of the design for the new Vikings stadium?
“Stadium builders have unveiled their vision for Minnesota’s new NFL stadium: it’s part fluoroplastic, part Viking sailing ship and an angular nod to other Minneapolis landmarks like the Walker Art Center and the Guthrie Theater,” writes Tim Nelson on Stadium Watch. “And the roof won’t be opening. That said, the south half of the roof will be…
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Gov. Mark Dayton will sign legislation that legalizes same-sex marriage in Minnesota. The bill signing comes after two years of debate, at times polarizing, across the state. Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, said he expects life to return to normal soon after Aug. 1 when the new law will take effect. “Hopefully, when we pass this…