Around MN: Independence Party opposes anti-gay marriage amendment

The Independence Party of Minnesota, one of three political parties in Minnesota with major party status, announced on Tuesday that it is joining the campaign to defeat a ballot measure that would place a ban on marriage for same-sex couples in the Minnesota Constitution if passed by the voters in 2012 (Minnesota Independent).

Also on MN Today

Survey: Duluth could profit from openness, more nightlife

It found a correlation between community attachment and economic growth. Areas where residents have the highest emotional connection had the highest rates of growth in gross domestic product (Duluth News Tribune).

Minnesota man sentenced for Amtrak bomb scare

Hussein Abdi Hassan, a 24-year-old resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to false information/hoaxes in connection with a bomb threat on an Amtrak train in February 2011 (KXLH).

New U President Eric Kaler: Q&A

The University of Minnesota's new president offers his views on athletics, finances, Joel Maturi, student-athletes and other issues (Star Tribune).

Lawmaker says tax credit elimination is right decision

The elimination of the homestead tax credit on property taxes will mean tax increases for most property owners but should be a more stable funding mechanism for counties and cities (West Central Tribune).

Fargo-Moorhead symphony ditches ball for outdoor concert

The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra is doing some rearranging. Citing budget troubles and fading interest in its traditional December gala, organizers saw a need and an opportunity to drop the ball and run with the rock (Fargo Forum).

Duluth TV station loses three anchors in a month

Fox 21 weeknight anchors Nick LaFave and Makenzi Henderson recently left the station and now weekend anchor Tracee Tolentino also is leaving (Duluth News Tribune).

Op-Ed

In response: Excelsior Energy project is an important energy option for state

As co-CEOs of Excelsior Energy, we are writing to clear up inaccuracies and misconceptions about our company contained in an editorial yesterday and in previous news coverage (Duluth News Tribune).

Editorial: Shameless legislators line up for shutdown pay

It's pathetic that even more Minnesota legislators have taken advantage of the recent state government shutdown to turn public service into public self-service (Star Tribune).

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

Making food at the Minnesota State Fair safe

Food is what the Minnesota State Fair is all about. Because of that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sends out 12 food inspectors during the first two days of the fair and then continues to inspect food vendors throughout the fair's run (KARE).

State Fair poll to ask questions about shutdown

Questions relating to state government shutdown figure prominently in this year's State Fair Poll by the Minnesota House of Representatives, and anyone stopping by their booth can fill out the survey (Pierce County Herald).

5 things to do at the Minnesota State Fair that don't involve clogging your arteries

The A.V. Club thought it wise to take a look at five other activities that make our state fair so gosh darn Minnesotan-y (AV-Club).

New cell phone tour will guide State Fair visitors to historic sites

A new cell phone tour developed by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and the Minnesota Historical Society allows fairgoers to dial up the voice of Tim Russell from "A Prairie Home Companion" and listen while he guides them to 12 historically significant spots at the fair (Shakopee News).

The Bachmann Files

Bachmann's campaign activities give uncertainty for future of congressional seat

Now that U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann has her eyes set on the White House, Minnesota's Republican Party leaders are watching the race closely -- and pondering the future of Bachmann's congressional seat (MPR).

Can Bachmann beat Obama?

It remains an open question whether the general public can be won over by someone who has previously said it is "part of Satan" to use the word "gay" to describe homosexuality, and suggested that members of Congress should be investigated for possible anti-American views (The Hill).

MN Scenes

Caterpillar by Ruin Raider via our Flickr pool

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