Statewide Blog

Fighting Sioux nickname lingers, redistricting maps out today

Fighting Sioux

UND Fighting Sioux nickname battle refuses to die

The controversy over the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux nickname refuses to die. You almost need a scorecard to keep track of the twists and turns in the nickname saga. Lawsuits have been filed, laws passed, laws repealed, the nickname's been retired, it's been reinstated -- all because nickname supporters refuse to give up."

UMD fans again warned over 'offensive' chants

Duluth News Tribune: "For the second time in three years, fans' chants at Bulldog hockey games draw complaints. This time, North Dakota players are targeted."

Redistricting

New battle lines: Minnesota political redistricting maps out Tuesday

Pioneer Press: "The new lines, which will reflect population changes over the past decade, are almost certain to create several districts that have two or more incumbent lawmakers and others with none."

Bachmann to run, regardless of map

Star Tribune: "She said any boundary changes - which can broadly reshape the political landscape - won't affect her plans."

Will new redistricting map bring Minnesota more competitive US House Races?

Smart Politics: "History says no: Gopher State elections in redistricting years ending in '2' have been the second least competitive, behind only years ending in '6'"

The Daily Circuit takes up redistricting at 9:12am this morning.

The Big Story Blog follows the story all day and explains the implications of the maps that are expected to be released this afternoon.

Also on MN Today

Fatal crashes near Alexandria

Alexandria Echo Press: "In the space of three hours, five lives were lost in two separate crashes near Alexandria today."

Alexandria Echo Press: Victims names released

Bachmann wants Medicaid rates to get closer scrutiny

Pioneer Press: "Following word last week of a federal investigation into how Minnesota finances its public health insurance programs, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said Monday that more audits might be needed for the Medicaid program."

Stillwater-based political blogger keeps ire stoked

Star Tribune: "From the ashes of a house fire several years ago that destroyed most everything he owned, Karl Bremer saved a flame-licked carbon copy of a letter he wrote in August 1974 to Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey."

Bremer's most recent post takes a look at a favorite topic of his, the Stillwater Bridge.

More truth, less 'truthiness' needed in St. Croix River Boondoggle Bridge debate

Ripple In Stillwater: "One would expect a certain amount of truthiness from lobbyists for this boondoggle. But members of Congress--specifically Michele Bachmann and her Wisconsin colleagues--now have employed the tactic in an effort to railroad a House vote through as a 'noncontroversial' measure."

Ron Paul: Don't tell farmers what to raise, sell

Forum of Fargo Moorhead: "Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, continued his push for the Republican presidential nomination on Monday when he spoke to voters here."

Priest's suicide saddens Fargo diocese

Forum of Fargo Moorhead: "The Fargo Catholic Diocese is reeling from the apparent suicide of a 45-year-old priest on Valentine's Day in the rectory of Nativity Catholic Church."

Northern lights dance across the Northland sky (with video)

Duluth News Tribune: "The northern lights put on quite a show over the Northland from Saturday night into early Sunday morning."