2013 legislative to-do list
Brick City Blog The 2013 legislative session kicks off next week, and there’s a long list of things that the newly-minted Democratic majorities should look at as their top priorities.#1: Fix the...
View ArticleMacy’s abandons St. Paul: Another doomed dinosaur departs
My heart rate, which had been rising and falling all weekend with the fiscal cliff negotiations, underwent another crisis when Macy's announced that it would be shuttering its store in downtown St....
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City sees Macy's loss as chance for redevelopment
Despite the loss of downtown’s last major retailer, St. Paul officials were full of optimism Thursday, talking about the new opportunities the square-block Macy’s store site offers for 21st century...
View ArticleBloggers track U’s ballooning administrative spending
Last week, the front page of the Wall Street Journal carried a lengthy, thoroughly reported story chronicling the University of Minnesota’s ballooning spending on administrative salaries over the last...
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MnDOT makes the case for modern roundabouts
Think you know traffic circles? Think again. In this 11-minute video, MnDOT makes the case for the modern roundabout: not only are they safer than traditional four way intersections with traffic...
View ArticleMore candidates announce for House 19A special election
Three DFLers and one Republican have now said they plan to run in a special election in state House District 19A, in the Mankato area. There are likely to be more.State DFL Rep. Terry Morrow plans to...
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Old pro Hann, new face Daudt offer leadership contrast for minority GOP
The Minnesota Legislature's incoming minority leaders — David Hann in the Senate and Kurt Daudt in the House — will operate at a distinct disadvantage, given the DFL control of both chambers and the...
View ArticleIowa State said 'no' when Pawlenty wanted $25,000 to speak during...
When former Gov. Tim Pawlenty was running for president last year, the Harkin Institute of Public Policy at Iowa State University wanted him to give a speech there.But when Pawlenty's agent said the...
View ArticleWolves’ tenacity: Team fundamentals trump disappointing stars
The title of my previous column — “The Wolves stay afloat in limbo”— was underscored in neon Thursday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled out their most improbable victory of the season thus...
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Lars Leafblad to head Bush Foundation's expanded Leadership Program team
Lars LeafbladThe Bush Foundation said Friday that Lars Leafblad will head its expanded Leadership Program team and elevate "the scope and profile of the Foundation’s well-respected and long-standing...
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Ex-councilman Minn faked emails in fight with rival developer
Many have considered this tactic … before realizing the downside was steeper than the up.Eric Roper of the Strib reports: “A bizarre attempt to derail a business rival's projects at Minneapolis City...
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MN Blog Cabin Roundup, 1/4
Call of (parental) Duty: Parts 1, 2 and 3from Human Rights Warrior by Jennifer PrestholdtA mom and her son debate the merits of violent video games.A modest proposal to save our kidsfrom Tim Droogsma's...
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Urbanist Charles Landry on the Twin Cities: Reknit the urban fabric, learn to...
Early in the weeklong residency of British urban strategist Charles Landry last spring exploring this region’s prospects for the 21st century, he fired a round of provocative queries to the crowd at...
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After Sandy Hook, a pledge
Here is what you do.Brian RosenbergHere is what you do if, like me, the recent horrific slaughter of innocents at Sandy Hook Elementary School has left you with feelings of shock, horror, grief — and...
View ArticleViolent crime in Minneapolis is at second-lowest level since 1983
Violent crime in Minneapolis last year ended up at the second-lowest level since 1983 and only slightly more than the record low set in 2011.City police achieved those results, despite flare-ups of...
View ArticleEllison named to Democratic whip team
Minneapolis Democrat Keith Ellison is the newest member of the House Democratic whip team.A whip and his deputies help count the party's votes and convince members to vote with leadership on...
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Ranked choice voting is achievable and effective
When a new Minnesota Legislature is gaveled into session this week, a window will briefly open in terms of our state’s ability to effect meaningful changes in our political environment. Before that...
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Veteran Strib reporter Oakes succumbs to depression
It was very brave of the family of veteran Strib reporter Larry Oakes to acknowledge that his death was a suicide, after years of fighting depression. Adam Belz of the paper says: “Larry Oakes, a...
View ArticleDutch Catholics turn to website to "de-baptize" themselves from the Catholic...
Are you a Dutch Catholic who wants out of the Catholic church? A new website that hosts the official documents needed to leave the fold might be able to help.Reuters reports that ontdopen.nl (which...
View ArticleTurkey sees promise in pivoting north
Its protracted bid to join the European Union remains stalled and its "zero problems" policy in theMiddle East is cracking over support for Syria's opposition. But one foreign policy front retains...
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