Chicago's proposed school closings called unfair to city's poorest students
In what would be the largest public school closing in US history, Chicago officials are proposing to shutter 61 schools, 9 percent of the 681 schools citywide.The proposed move is being blasted both by...
View ArticleObama in Israel: A new direction for American foreign policy?
JERUSALEM — President Barack Obama's address to the Israeli people, delivered a mere two months after starting his second term in office, may herald a new direction for American foreign policy.Clearly...
View ArticleThe Gingrich-Santorum (or Santorum-Gingrich) ticket that almost was
Josh Green, writing for Bloomberg and still rooting around in the entrials (or does one mean detritus) of the titanic battle for last year's Repub presidential nominee, writes that a key moment when...
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'Temporary' taxes become permanent? Minnesota has mixed experience
When House Democrats this week suggested a temporary surtax on top Minnesota earners, Republicans instantly pounced.House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt leveled the harshest criticisms, saying, “There’s...
View ArticleHow mass transit influences (in a good way) Twin Cities real-estate values
Probably since Neolithic times, the real estate business has harped on one mantra: Location, location, location. The theory is pretty simple: Two identical properties (caves, back in those days, I...
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Documentary 'The Price of Sand' examines frac sand mining issue in Minnesota...
The recent boom in the use of hyrdaulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas and oil extraction has produced a parallel boom in mining the silica sand that is critical to the process. Minnesota and...
View ArticleCandidates for state GOP chair agree the party’s a mess
At a debate Thursday night in Eagan, the four candidates for chair of the Minnesota Republican Party were in solid agreement on one issue: Their party is in a sorry state.To reverse the course, each...
View ArticleGov. Dayton mourns the death of Mesabi, his 10-year-old dog
Mesabi, Gov. Mark Dayton's 10-year-old German shepherd, died Thursday, a few days after surgery.The governor says the death was unexpected, and he relates the incident, and his feelings, in touching...
View ArticleSt. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to deliver eighth State of the City on Monday
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will deliver his eighth State of the City speech noon Monday at the downtown Crowne Plaza Hotel.Coleman hasn't yet announced whether he'll seek a third term in November but...
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When the 6 'G' issues take over, there’s no controlling the legislative agenda
There was a bit of a lull in the storm that usually surrounds the gun control debate Thursday evening, but as one of the “six G” issues, the calm won’t last.Sen. Dave TomassoniGuns represent one of the...
View ArticleGov. Dayton to speak Wednesday at St. Paul Chamber lunch
Gov. Mark Dayton will speak Wednesday at a St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hillcrest Golf Club, 2200 E. Larpenteur Ave., on St. Paul's East...
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Break gives legislators time to 'listen,' but both sides already 'know' what...
Legislators wrapped up the first half of the session Friday and now, during the week-long Easter/Passover break have vowed to head back to their districts and “listen” to their constituents.But there’s...
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National Democrats think they have a shot at unseating Kline
Our Favorite Congresswoman’s job isn’t the only one greedy Democrats are drooling over.Brett Neely of MPR writes: “The Republican who may have the largest target on his back is Minnesota's 2nd District...
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St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's pitch produces movement in chamber orchestra...
Mayor Chris ColemanSt. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman met last week with both sides in the months-long St. Paul Chamber Orchestra dispute, prompting a new offer from the management that curtails some of the...
View ArticleAndy Kohut goes deep on impact of the GOP's 'staunch conservatism'
Writing for the Washington Post's Outlook section, Andy Kohut of the Pew Research Center makes a case that you won't find too shocking but to which he brings a depth and breadth based on years' worth...
View ArticleMN Blog Cabin Roundup, 3/22
MN congressional races: Are Democrats poised to do the unthinkable?from mnpACT! Progressive Political Blog by Dave MindemanIt's still very, very early to be talking about 2014 Congressional races, but...
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St. Paul beer scene grows; gluten-free brewery to open
The local craft beer craze and the gluten-free movement are joining forces in the form of a gluten-free brewery that’s getting ready to open in St. Paul.Burning Brothers Brewing is building out a...
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St. Paul's next hot neighborhood? Put your money on Payne Avenue
The 1885 building that houses the Ward 6 restaurant/bar in the Payne-Phalen area of St. Paul's East Side looks like an old-fashioned saloon. Inside the dimly lit restaurant, a vintage hand-carved...
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Happy anniversary, Clarence Gideon
Wikimedia CommonsClarence GideonThis week is not actually Clarence Gideon's anniversary, but 50 years ago on March 18 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in Gideon v. Wainwright. Justice...
View ArticleEvolving Minnesota Cup offers entrepreneurs lots more than prize money
I’ve got a soft spot for the Minnesota Cup. As a Star Tribune business reporter, I covered the news conference in 2005 at which the first competition for breakthrough ideas was announced. Minnesota...
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