High levels of mercury found in North Shore babies, MN-03 DFL forum, Brodkorb’s odds

High levels of mercury found in North Shore babies

Star Tribune: "One in 10 babies along Minnesota's North Shore are born with unhealthy levels of mercury in their bodies, according to a new report on contamination around Lake Superior, the first to look for the pollutant in the blood of U.S. infants."

MN-03 DFL candidate forum

DFL candidates Sharon Sund and Brian Barnes join an online MPR News forum today at 11:00am to discuss their positions on the issues facing Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Erik Paulsen currently represents the district that serves the western suburbs of Minneapolis.

Union fight brews with right-to-work push in Minn.

AP: "Republicans pulled Minnesota into an explosive issue Thursday by introducing legislation to make union membership optional, setting the stage for a fight that has triggered boycotts by Democratic lawmakers and large protests in other states."

No contract yet; city workers strike imminent

Timberjay: Twenty-five "Ely city workers weren't walking a picket line as of presstime on Thursday, but the possibility of an imminent work stoppage hung in the air nonetheless."

Legal experts: If Michael Brodkorb sues over Senate firing, chances of prevailing could be slim

Pioneer Press: "Labor law experts interviewed by the Associated Press cited a number of barriers to any claim by Brodkorb, chief among them the Senate secretary's assertion that he signed an agreement acknowledging he was an "at-will" employee, which means he would be subject to firing at any time."

Ron Paul to stage town hall at Mayo H.S. Saturday

Rochester Post Bulletin: "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will make a stop in Rochester on Saturday in advance of Tuesday's caucuses."

Santorum to visit to Minnesota

WDIO: "Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum is set to visit three Minnesota cities on February 5, including Eden Prairie, Bemidji and Lake Waconia."

Innocuous building near stadium is key hub for regional communications

MPR News: "The quest for a new Vikings stadium has inadvertently cast attention on a little-known building in downtown Minneapolis that plays a crucial role for anyone who uses the Internet."

146 animals seized at Bigfork property

WDIO: "With help from the Star of the North Humane Society, 146 animals were seized. The court documents said there dogs, horses, chickens, a goat, rabbits, and pheasants."

Warm temps energize Jewel's baby bears

Northland News Center: "Just 12 days old, the cubs are moving around in their den earlier than researchers expected and are considerably more vocal than black bear and internet phenom Lily's, cubs were."

St. Paul artist using homemade postcards to help save Postal Service

Pioneer Press: "Peter Kramer is determined to save the U.S. Postal Service - one postcard at a time. The St. Paul artist and accomplished architect is so passionate about the cause that he's come up with 'Postcards to Save the Post Office,' a collection of more than 120 one-of-a-kind postcards."

Peter Kramer - Postcards to Save the Post Office

and

Kathy Wismar - paintings and ceramics

February 4 - March 4, 2012

Opening Reception in St Paul: Saturday, February 4; 5-7 PM at the Grand Hand

• Editor’s notebook: Covering the environment in 2014
• Best of Minnesota Scenes from 2014
• 50 years of memory making in the Boundary Waters
• ‘Fargo’ takes home two Emmys