Pawlenty falls flat; Voter ID legal challenges loom; Cop kicks man on video

Re: the Republican National Convention

Bob Collins blogs about the security state at the RNC in Tampa and how St Paul's 2008 convention informed the approach taken in Tampa this year.

Armed with one-liners, Pawlenty tears into Obama

MPR News: "Pawlenty used much of his high-profile moment at the convention in Tampa, Fla., to tear into the president, mixing humor into his sharp attacks. He drew a polite reception as he approached the podium and some loud applause for his one-liners. 'Barack Obama is the first president to create more excuses than jobs,' Pawlenty said. Politico's Mahtesian on Tim Pawlenty's speech: "If Mitt Romney's veep shortlist consisted of Ryan, Pawlenty and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Wednesday's speeches suggested he made the right call. Portman and Pawlenty fell flat; Ryan delivered the best speech of the convention to date. Pawlenty's beginning and end showed promise. Everything in between was forgettable. Unlike some other speakers, the Minnesota governor at least spent time extolling the GOP nominee's virtues. But wave after wave of canned lines drained the life from Pawlenty's address."

WNYC: Paul Ryan headlines a night of whoppers

Houston Chronicle: After leaving the RNC floor in protest, Ron Paul backers still steamed at Romney

Hot Dish Politics: Minnesota's Paul supporters relieved, furious after RNC vote

The federal bailout that saved Mitt Romney

"Mitt Romney likes to say he won't 'apologize' for his success in business. But what he never says is 'thank you' - to the American people - for the federal bailout of Bain & Company that made so much of his outsize wealth possible," Rolling Stone.

And in the event you weren't on the internet yesterday, President Obama held a Q&A on Reddit.

Around MN

St. Paul officer seen on video kicking man

"An investigation is underway following an arrest in St. Paul caught on tape and posted on YouTube (warning: video contains foul language)," KARE11.

More lawsuits likely if photo ID amendment passes

MPR News: "This week's Minnesota Supreme Court ruling on the proposed voter ID constitutional amendment resolved one legal challenge, but more are likely to come."

Cloquet police: Victim fears for his life after shooting

"Cloquet police are investigating what is believed to be a gang-related shooting on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation in which the victim was shot in the foot, but investigators say he isn't providing much information because he fears for his life," Duluth News Tribune.

Taconite plants face environmental challenge

MPR News: "Minnesota's taconite companies face a major environmental challenge in November when the federal government decides whether to require significant reduction in air pollution that causes haze in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyaguers National Park. These regulations have been a long time coming, and the decision isn't clear yet."

• 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